Laverne Harmon Emery

March 5, 1931 - March 30, 2020

Laverne Harmon Emery, 89, of Bradford passed from this life Monday, March 30, 2020. She was born March 5, 1931 in Tucker’s Ridge, Arkansas to the late George and Shirley Jones Webb. Laverne grew up on Tucker’s Ridge and began work as a waitress at the age of 12 in Michigan. At age 14 she moved back to Possum Grape where she met Lee Harmon. Laverne and Lee married on March 7, 1947 and were married until the time of his death in 1974. Laverne and Lee raised their family in the Bradford area. In 1969, Laverne opened “Laverne’s Restaurant” in Possum Grape. She loved the hard work and all the customers, especially the teenagers that would come in to shoot pool and eat. She had lots of fun stories about them and thought the world of them. She ran her restaurant for 24 years until she retired in 1993. On January 1, 1989 she married Oscar Emery and they were married until his death in 2006. Laverne loved traveling and camping. She and Oscar made numerous trips to several different locations. She loved kids, especially babies, and she also loved her church family, many of whom she had grown up with. Laverne loved her pets and would often bring leftovers home for them from the restaurants that she would eat at. She is survived by her children, Troy Harmon (Jackie) of Bradford, Barbara Flippin of Cotter, Gail Bradley of Bradford, Melissa Nasiatka (Ken) of Bradford, and Chad Harmon of Bradford; grandchildren, Scott Harmon, Melanie Grayham, Brian Doherty, Jennifer Shelby, Cynthia Ellis, Chrystal Bradley, Kim Grimes, and Kendyl Boyett; many great grandchildren; close friend, Rinda Sue Barnett; and a host of other family, friends, and loved ones. She is preceded in death by two husbands, Herbert Lee Harmon and Oscar Emery; children, Kerry Eugene Harmon, Jimmy Harmon, and Sherry Robin Simons; and her parents, George and Shirley Jones Webb. Graveside visitation is 1:30pm Thursday, April 2 at Coffeyville Cemetery in Bradford with the funeral service following at 2:00pm. Please be aware that, in accordance with state law, social distancing, defined as a separation of 6 feet, must be observed even in outdoor environments in order for any type of gathering to be permitted. Arrangements entrusted to Bradford Memorial Funeral Home, Bradford, Arkansas. www.bradfordmemorial.com.