Laverne Hickman entered this life in Detroit, Michigan, on Saturday, May 3, 1958. She was born to Leonard Perry and Catherine Jackson, ans was later adopted by Reese Henry and Eula Mae Guinn Hickman. She went home to be with her Savior on Thursday, March 15, 2001, in Los Angeles, California.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Collin Patrick Gomes of Los Angeles, CA; her daughters, Tamika Washington and Makita Sampson, both of Gadsden, AL; her son-in-law, James Leach of Gadsden, AL; her granddaughter, Zhaniqua Washington of Gadsden, AL; her mother, Catherine Jackson of Los Angeles, CA; her father, Leonard Perry of Detroit, MI; her grandmother, Eula Mae Washington of Gadsden, AL; her sisters, Tracy Richardson of Los Angeles, CA and Lynette Perry of Detroit, MI; her brothers, Sidney Clark of Los Angeles, CA and Chuckie Perry of Detroit, MI; her niece Andrea Hamilton of Los Angeles, CA; her nephew Andre Hamilton of Los Angeles, CA; and a host of cherished friends from LAIC (LA International Church), Transportation Concepts and the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. She was preceeded in death by her sister, Gloria Clark and her grandfather Rudolf Washington. She will truly be missed by all whose lives she touched.

A ceremony to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2001 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Gardenside Funeral Service, with Pastor Murray Cresswell officiating, following which, she will be transported to Gadsden, Alabama for interment in the Lincoln Hill Cemetery. The Watson and Son Funeral Home will assist the family in Gadsden, Alabama.

Tamika Washington,
E-Mail: tblackgirl27@aol.com adds,

Dear Mom,

You hold a special place in our hearts. You are well loved and missed. We understand all the hardships you faced on this earth. You made peace with God, so Rest In Peace. I know you made it and we'll see you there.

Love, your children and grandchild

Tribute to Laverne

No more sorrow will be yours,
No more burdens must you bear,
No more headaches shall you endure,
Weighted down with earthly cares.

You can rest now.

Laverne, while here on earth, you did your best,
A friend to all you tried to be.
No more regrets you'll have while you look down on us.

You be at rest now.

No more will you fret and worry about what the day might bring,
You'll go home to that city in the sky where God's angels will sing.

Laverne, you can rest now.