Laverne (Grantham) Meeks

Funeral services for Laverne Meeks, 90, of Shreveport, LA were held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Boeuf River Baptist Church, Rayville, LA with Rev. Gary Massey officiating. Interment was in the Stevenson Cemetery, Rayville, LA under the direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Home, Rayville, LA.

Mrs. Laverne was born April 19, 1935 in Rayville, LA and passed away Sunday, August 24, 2025 in Shreveport, LA surrounded by her family.

Laverne married her high school sweetheart, Joe Meeks, after her family moved to Nederland, TX where she graduated from high school.  Joe followed her to make her his bride.  After they finished his stint in the army at Fort Benning, GA, they used his GI Bill to purchase a small grocery store back in Nederland, TX.

They then moved to Rayville to take care of Joe’s father.  She worked as a bookkeeper so that Joe, at the age of 34, could attend NLU to become a couch.  Laverne had several jobs in her professional career, but none that she loved more than being Coach Joe’s wife.  Together they changed thousands of young lives over the years.  He got the credit; she did a lot of the work.

She was a servant to her children, her church (Boeuf River Baptist), her friends; but most of all her beloved Joe.  Laverne took care of everything so he could be the couch and change the lives of so many young people.  Although he received the accolades, together they were the ultimate team.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Coach “Joe” Meeks; son, Coach “Dickey” Meeks; and parents, Lellage and Vernell Grantham.

Survivors include her children, Ken Meeks (Zoe) and Jolynn Fernandini (John); daughter-in-law, Debbie Meeks; her grandchildren, Sonia Burleson (Jeremy), Jesse Hill (Matt), Ricky Joe Meeks (Lacey), Bo Meeks (Robin), Pat Roberts (Jason), Neal Papin (Ashley), Jennifer Sikes (Chase); great grandchildren, Molly, Ty, Raye, Grayson, Addie, Blake, Beckett, Slone, Emmy Jo, Avery, Emerson, Hudson, Kennison, Kelby, and Wilder; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Steve Adcock, Richard Freeland, Todd Rogers, Donnie Adcock, Mike Adcock, and Stuart King.

Honorary pallbearer were Coach Don King, Ridge Heisler, Mark Johnson, William Freeland, and George Barefield.

In lieu of flowers donations in Mrs. Meeks honor to Boeuf River Baptist Church are appreciated. 

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