Laverne Parks

LaVerne Parks, a longtime Corona resident, passed away December 18, 2022 at the age of 94. She was born August 8, 1928, in Ringling, Oklahoma, but moved to California with her mother and sister (Roberta) at the age of 3 after her father passed away. Her mother worked in the Citrus industry in Corona and met Elmer Hopkins and married a few years later. They had a girl (Louise) and boy (Cecil). LaVerne enjoyed playing the piano starting at age 8 and took lessons and was so good her music teacher applied for her to attend Julliard School or Music and she was accepted after graduating from Corona High School. LaVerne met Delmar Parks in High School and became engaged and married in 1946 three weeks after she graduated from High School. Marsha, their daughter was adopted in 1954 and she and Mark Churchman had two children, a boy (Kyle) and girl (Lauren). Lauren married David Sotelo in 2016, and in 2021, Madison Sotelo was born as the first great grandchild and she was thrilled! Being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother was the best thing ever, she would say! LaVerne had a heart for children and would work with Foster Kids programs. She was very concerned about the children ageing out of foster care, so she supported Inspire Life Skills to help Foster youth to have a stable home environment while going to school and working. Her Celebration of Life service will be at Crossroads Church in Corona, CA, on February 25, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send monetary donations to Inspire life skills, www.inspirelifeskills.org, 2279 Eagle Glen Parkway #112 - PMB #131, Corona, CA 92883. Service Crossroads Christian Church 2331 Kellogg Ave Corona, CA 92881 Saturday 2/25, 11:00 am Luncheon to follow