Vernetta Graham

Vernetta Mae Graham was born on April 10, 1931, to Howard and Golda White Smith in Coleman County, Sealy Hospital, in Santa Anna, Texas. She attended several schools while she was growing up, since her father was a Nazarine minister during the depression, and they moved around quite a lot. She graduated from Quanah TX High School in 1948. She was the proud mother of three sons; Stephen Joe, born Jan. 30, 1950; Timothy George, born June 17, 1951, and Jeffrey Don, born September 28, 1954. After several years of living in Hamlin, Vernetta and three sons became residents of Abilene in 1962. In 1972 she graduated Hardin Simmons University and in 1983, while working, she received her master's degree from Abilene Christian University. After several years as a working professional in the fields of Social Work, Field Social Work and Social Work Management, Vernetta retired from Hendrick Medical Center where she had spent her last working years as a department supervisor in Admissions and Insurance verification, retiring in 1998.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Golda White Smith (1945); her father, Howard Smith (2001); her beloved stepmother, Janie Smith (2008); her sisters, Janie Nesmith and Retha Clancy; her oldest son Stephen (1986); her son Timothy (2002).

Vernetta is survived by her son, Jeffrey Graham and wife Julie, granddaughters, Brooke Staten and husband Jason, Michelle Graham and a bunch of great-grandchildren and friends.

Vernetta will be deeply missed by all who knew her. The family would like to give special thanks to Hendrick Hospice and the ladies from Home Instead at University Place and to her special friends Donise and Nelda.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 Hwy 277, Abilene, Texas.