Lavera Brown

LaVéra Earlona Forbes Brown peacefully transitioned into eternal rest on Thursday, February 9, 2023, in her Norfolk, Virginia home , surrounded by her loved ones . LaVéra affectionately known as “Vee,” to her friends and Earlona to her family, was born August 30, 1946, in Norfolk, Virginia, the eldest of five children, to the late William E. and Minnie L. Forbes Sr.

LaVéra began her educational pursuits in Norfolk Public Schools as a trailblazer, famously as one of the “Norfolk 17.” While only a 7th grader, she was instrumental in the integration process of Norfolk, Virginia’s Middle and High Schools. This experience she described, in a 2004 program honoring these courageous young people, was at times painful and difficult to talk about. This was a time of trial and tribulation based on the Supreme Court decision, of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, to allow the desegregation of the schools and the subsequent resistance of these schools to allow African American admission. It was during the school lockout in the Winter of 1958, that she along with the other Norfolk 17 attended Bute Street Baptist Church. However, on January 19, 1958 the Virginia State Supreme Court and Federal District Court ruled the school closings unconstitutional and on Feb 2, 1969, they became the first African American students to attend previously segregated schools in the largest school district in the State of Virgina. LaVéra and the other fearless young people persevered to give each of us the opportunity to attend the schools of our choice. After this very eventful start, she went on to graduate from Norview High School in 1964, where she also enjoyed social affairs, such as her selection as a Bachelor Benedict Debutante. LaVéra furthered her education at Norfolk State University, where she studied Business Administration/ Management and Computer Programing. She utilized her education as a Fleet Accounting Technician for the Department of the Navy Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers at Naval Station Oceana, Virginia Beach transferring to Naval Base, Norfolk and Fleet Logistics Center, Pearl Harbor, HI. where she retired after 20+ years of service. After retirement, she returned to work first in collections at Bank of America until 2004 and then as a Sales Associate at JCPenney for a brief time.

LaVéra loved the Lord, her family, and people. She was a devoted member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia and joined their H.T. Myer’s Gospel Choir as an adult. Later she became a member of both, Gospel Light C.O.G.I.C, in Norfolk, Virginia and The WAVE Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She was a tireless steward. Unselfishly, she gave her time and resources to her church and multiple other charities.

LaVéra was predeceased by Albert L. White, Sr, Albert L. Maclin, and Wilbert W. Brown; brother Barry R. Forbes, and beloved nephew Aaron W. Forbes.

She leaves to cherish her memory: sons, Albert L. White, Jr. and Wade W. White; grandson, Albert L. White III known lovingly as “Trey”; her Siblings, Florozelle F. Scott (Thomas Sr.), William E. Forbes Jr. (Arnica), and Cheryl A. Bond (Curtis); god sibling Rosvel Lathan Sr. (Marilyn); Nephews Thomas J. Scott Jr, Michael R. Scott, Andrew Forbes; niece Asia M. Lee (Jordan), and a hosts of other relatives and friends.

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