Mrs. LaVerne Dawkins

DAWKINS, Mrs. LaVerne - Age 83, passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10:00 AM Friday, August 8, 2025, at Word of Life Christian Church, 460 W. Atherton Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Pastor George Wilkinson, officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy. Mt. Morris, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10:00 AM Friday. Mrs. Dawkins will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM-6:00 PM Thursday, with family present to receive friends from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. LaVerne Coleman Dawkins, was born October 9, 1941, with her twin sister LaVola, to Robert and Mattie (Shackelford) Coleman in Little Rock, Arkansas. The family moved to Flint, MI in July of 1947 during the Great Migration seeking a better life. The family united with Canaan Baptist Church where LaVerne accepted Christ at an early age and served in the Angel Choir. After moving her membership to Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, she continued to sing in the Mass Choir. LaVerne later joined Word of Life Christian Church. Growing up, LaVerne attended Clark Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Emerson Junior High, and graduated from Flint Northern “Class of 1960.” She was active, kindergarten through twelfth grade, participating in the Glee Club, Track Team, Girl Scouts, Ceramics and Pottery Classes, and while attending Emerson Junior High, she participated in the award-winning orchestra where she was first chair in the violin section. LaVerne was united in marriage to James J. Dawkins in 1964; to this union two children were born, Julie Anne and James Julian II. LaVerne was employed at Hurley Medical Center in 1961 working first in housekeeping. After completing the Civil Service Exam, she advanced to a nursing assistant position, retiring as a Senior Nursing Assistant after more than 30 years of service, all in the Maternal/Child unit. She then joined the Life Steps Health Screening team where she passionately counseled GM staff to lead a healthy life by paying close attention to their blood sugar and blood pressure. She retired – again – after 24 years of service. LaVerne loved watching and participating in sports. As young adults, LaVerne and sister Martha played in a women’s softball league. She especially loved attending Detroit Tigers and Detroit Pistons games with family and friends. LaVerne was an avid reader and collected all Danielle Steele novels. She was very creative and spent time completing cross-stitch and needle-point crafts, and she was an excellent seamstress. Most recently, LaVerne enjoyed completing many DIY projects inspired by shows on her favorite channel, HGTV. Family was always important to her, and she loved fiercely, always giving generously of her time, talents, and treasures. One of her most significant gifts was donating a kidney to her nephew, Bryan Coleman in 1999. Baking Fresh Apple Nut cakes, and Macaroni & Cheese were her love languages. She took pride in sharing them with special friends and family. LaVerne was known for her ability to “be herself” – brutal honesty, grounded in love. Those who knew her intimately understood that her statements were honest and provocative. LaVerne was the life of the party and will truly be missed. LaVerne Coleman Dawkins leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Julie (Sylvester) Jones, Jr. of Portage, MI; son, James J. (Sholemick) Dawkins II of Burton, MI; grandchildren, Leah Nichelle Jones, James Julian Dawkins III, and Sylvester Jones III; special great-nephew, Brandon Allen Coleman; sisters, Bobbie (Jehan Mansur) Bard of San Jose, CA, and Martha Bard of Grand Blanc, MI; brother-in-law, Roosevelt (Sheila) Dawkins; sister-in-law, Pamela (Willie) Dawkins; nieces and nephews, Scott Bard-Mansur, Stephen (Lynnann) Bard, Christopher (Nicole) Bard, Danielle Bard, Marlisse Guest, Ericka Coleman, Alissa (Michael) Hooks, Michelle Coleman, Christina Coleman, Crystal (James) Pugh, Terry (Colvin) Arnold, Tomeshia (Kelvin) Woods, Tonya (Carl) Hughes, Shericka Finklea, and Dewan (Kisha) Dawkins. She also leaves aunts Mary (John) King and Corine Joseph; many great-nieces and great-nephews, numerous cousins including special sister/cousin, Marjorie Watson; dear adopted daughters, Angela Germain and Robyn Garrigus; and many lifelong friends including Myrtle Lee, Marvin Raglon, Loretta Kelly, Susie Martin, Mary Arter, and Wilbur Jarrett. LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mattie Coleman; sister, LaVola Coleman; brother, Robert Coleman Jr.; nephew, Bryan Coleman; and father of her children, James Dawkins. Finally, the family would like to express special thanks to Pastor George D. Wilkinson and the Word of Life Christian Church family, Davita Dialysis Center - Burton, Dr. Genevieve Sierminski, Dr. Ali Mohammed, Dr. Rizwan Danish, Hurley Medical Center 4 Floor Angels (Faith, Mia, and Madison), Mass Transportation Authority – Your Ride, and dialysis buddies, Terence and Bruce.

Mrs. LaVerne Dawkins

October 9, 1941 - July 29, 2025