Eliza Birkes

LaVerne Birkes passed into the arms of her dear Savior on May 17, 2017, after a brief illness. Graveside services will be held at Rosemound Cemetery, 3201 South 12th Street Waco, Texas on Saturday, May 20 at 10 am, with Pastor Deryl LeBlanc officiating. The family will receive visitors, Friday, May 19, from 6-8 pm at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Drive, (HWY 77) Waco, Texas.
LaVerne was born on April 19, 1928 in the small community of North Prairie near Chilton, Texas, to John and Mary Elizabeth Lizzie (Moore) Copeland. But when she was eight years old the family moved to the Gholson area where she attended school and later graduated from West High School.
She later worked for Bell Telephone Company and J.M. Woods manufacturing, where she met her husband of 55 years, Harvey L. Birkes. They married on February 12, 1949 and had two children son, Tommy and daughter Sharon Elizabeth.
LaVerne was preceded in death by parents; husband Harvey L. Birkes; and four brothers; George (Dude), Arthur (Jiggs), Robert (Rusty) and Jack Copeland; and two sisters, Gertie Mae Copeland and Frances Tadlock.
Left behind to cherish her legacy of love and devotion, her son Tommy, and daughter Sharon Kroskey and husband Tony. Also grandchildren Jason, Jennifer and husband Michael, Jonathan Tate and wife Tanya; and great -grandchildren Michael, Matthew, Destini, Ashley, Hannah, Melody, McKayla and Owen.
The family would like to express their many thanks to the staff of Providence Hospital and a very special thanks to all the staff at St. Catherine's Hospice Care. And all those who visited and those who sent all their love and prayers.