Obituary: Laverne Harper Strickland

HOOKERTON: Mrs. Laverne Harper Strickland, age 92, passed away Monday morning, March 10, 2025, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. A native of Greene County, she was born April 1, 1932, the eldest child of James Henry and Annie Stafford Rouse.

She was a longtime resident of Hookerton and attended the former Hookerton United Methodist Church (now Hookerton Fellowship Church). For many years Laverne worked as a private caregiver for individuals in their homes. As her own health began to decline in 2015, she had to leave her home in Hookerton and move into a skilled care environment.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husbands, Edward Earl Harper and Norwood Strickland; a daughter, Kathy Barrow; and a brother, James Carlton Rouse.

She is survived by her sons, Kenneth Harper (Tina Rose Payne) of Clayton and Jimmy Harper (Debbie) of Snow Hill; grandchildren, Eric Barfield and Benny Harper, both of Greenville, and Krissy Harper of Kinston; great-grandchildren, Lincoln, Kaylee, Kloe, and Madison; and sisters, Shelby Jean Bright of Kinston, Shirley Ann Vojta of Pink Hill, Mildred Kay Wilson of Kinston, and Esther Faye Eubanks of Kinston.

Funeral Services will be held graveside 2 PM Thursday, March 13th, at the Snow Hill Cemetery with Pastor Roy Graves officiating. The family will greet friends and extended relatives immediately following the service.

Arrangements are entrusted to Taylor-Tyson Funeral Service of Snow Hill.