Obsequies for Verdery LaVerte Tutt, alpha, October 1, 1943, omega, December 17, 2010, December 23, 2010, 1:00 p.m., Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel, 1235 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901, Reverend Christopher J. Waters, officiant, Reverend Clarence Moore, eulogist

(0b3egme for
Berber? Ha^erte Ctttt

Alpha October 1, 1943

Omega December 17, 2 0 10

December 23, 2 0 10 1:00 p.m.
Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel
1235 Fifteenth Street Augusta, Georgia 30901

Reverend Christopher J. Waters, Officiant Reverend Clarence Moore, Eulogist

# b ttu a rj>
Verdery LaVerte Tutt was born October 1,1943, in Augusta, Georgia. LaVerte, as he was known to most, attended Charles T. Walker Elementary School, A.R. Johnson Junior High School, and was a graduate o f Lucy Craft Laney High School, class o f 1961. He attended Savannah State College and Paine College and was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1966 after two years o f active duty service.
During his early life, LaVerte was a member o f Boy Scout Troop 42 at Bethlehem Center and was a proud member o f the first contingent o f African American Scouts from Augusta to attend the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Valley Lorge, Pennsylvania in 1957. He also had the distinction o f being the first African American to enter the National Soap Box Derby Race in this area. The Augusta Soap Box Derby Race was cancelled, rather than allow him the privilege o f participating because o f race. Officials o f Charlotte North Carolina Soap Box Derby heard o f the local cancellation and invited LaVerte to race his car in Charlotte, which he did proudly.
Upon his return from the military, he was employed as an appliance salesman with Georgia Power Company, becoming the first African American to assume those duties. He was also employed as a salesman with Canada Dry Bottlers and the Sears Company. He worked as a switchman with Georgia Railroad Company.
LaVerte joined the Richmond County Sheriff's Department in1972 as a Turnkey in the County Jail and later worked in the Records Bureau. He professed many times that this is "What I was meant to be doing!" Over the years he proudly performed duties as an investigator in the Vice and Narcotics Division and the Criminal Investigation Division. He served as a Deputy on the Road Patrol Division and was subsequently promoted to Sergeant and Lieutenant.
During his tenure with RCSD, LaVerte completed training exercises and certification courses at the LBI Academy in Quantico Virginia, as well as local, state and regional training programs. LaVerte retired as Administration Lieutenant - Uniform Division in January 2010, after 38 years o f contin uous service with the Richmond County Sheriff's Department. During that time he managed to gain the confidence and trust o f his co-workers and was often described first as a gentleman who was honest, above board, objective, dedicated and who thoroughly enjoyed his work.
LaVerte was preceded in death by his parents, Deacon Verdery and Mrs. Eulala McCladdie Tutt and his sis ter, Valeria Joyce Tutt Day. He is survived by his devoted wife o f 46 years, Betty Jean Morgan Tutt, Augusta, Georgia; daughters, Monica R. (Larry) Stevens, Evans, Georgia; Veronica LaVerte Tutt, Marietta, Georgia and Dr. Marva Tutt, Silver Spring, Maryland; grandchildren, Justin and Jordan Stevens, Evans, Georgia and La'Shika Stevens, Augusta, Georgia; brother, Byron L. Tutt, Sr. o f Augusta, Georgia; a loyal and faithful sis ter-in-law, Carol Ann Morgan; sisters-in-law, Mary Price, Gertrude Brown, Mattie Brown, Hattie (Robert) Murph all o f Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; brothers-in-law, Griffin L. Day, III, Las Vegas, Nevada, George (Edith) Morgan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Herbert Morgan, Augusta, Georgia; goddaughter, Valeria L. Day; devoted childhood buddies, John Kenner, George T. Bryant and Theodore Bowman; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
I knew little that day that God wasgoing to call your name, In life I loved you dearly; In death I will do the same. It broke my heart to lose you, you did notgo alone.
For p art o f me went went you, the day God called you home. Tou left peaceful memories, your love is still myguide,
And though I cannot see you, you are always a t my side, Our fam ily chain is broken, and nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.
I love you Daddy! Flip

<rtier of ^erbtce
Reverend Christopher J. Waters, Officiant Pastor, Thankful Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia

rThere is a right time for everything: A time to be born, a time to die. Musical Prelude

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Processional

Scriptures The Old Testament...........................................................Reverend Nathaniel Dunn, Pastor McCullough Covenant Baptist Church, Waynesboro, Georgia

The New Testament............................................................Reverend John Lockhart, Pastor Fellowship Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia

Prayer of Comfort.................................................................................. Mrs. Patricia Dickerson Good Shepherd Baptist Church

H y m n ................ "How Great Thou A r t"................... Good Shepherd Choir & Congregation Robert Abraham, Accompanist

Reflections (3 minutes please) Chaplain Ken Gross ..............................................Richmond County Sheriff's Department George T. Bryant ..... ............................................................................Friend and Classmate Carol Ann Morgan................................................................................................ Sister-in-Law Byron L. T u tt................................................................................................................ Brother Dr. Marva T utt............................................................................................................ Daughter

Selection............................. "It Is Well With My Soul"...................................Voices of Solidarity Thankful Baptist Church
Dr. Roosevelt Simpkins, Accompanist

Acknowledgements..................................................................... Walidah Walker, Family Friend

Solo........................................................................................................ Dr. Hawthorne Welcher Milledge Kyler, Accompanist

Eulogy....................................................................................Reverend Clarence Moore, Pastor Good Shepherd Baptist Church

Recessional ........................................................................... "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand"

Interm ent......................................................................................... Bellevue Memorial Gardens

Repast Good Shepherd Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
2248 Olive Road Augusta, Georgia 30904

pallbearers

Theodore (Brother) Bowman Larry Brown George T. Bryant

Dorian Freeman John Kenner Dr. Charles F. M organ

Honorary Pallbearers
Deacon M inistry o f G ood Shepherd Baptist Church Lucy C. Laney Class o f 1961

Dear Papa, I loved you so much! I cried and cried when I heard you passed. Tou always called me "Jordy Pordy" and I loved it. Now you are in heaven, a nd I am going to miss being called a]ordy Pordy". I still have my dad Larry and he can call me Jordy Pordy. A n d when you got me shoes, I loved them so much. Tou bought me two pairs to be exact. One o f the pair wasgray and yellow and that was really thoughtful o fyou. I love you and I am going to miss you. Love Jordan
Dear Papa, I miss you. I am so sad because you won't be able to see me graduate fro m Georgia Tech. I will miss my tickle, tickle and being called Bud. L still have the sling shot you made me. Tou used to take me to Goody Two Shoes all the time. A n d I ju st w ant to say thank you. I remember when I fo u n d out you g o t cancer and I was very sad. That's all L wanted to say and I will miss you. Love Ju stin
I would like to attest to thefollowing regarding the beloved Mr. Verdery ccLaVerte" Tutt. He was many things to many people. Tou've heard the jargon o f titles and roles ... "Husband, Lather, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Friend, Colleague perhaps Others. I simply wish to share with you another side or title that I was blessed to have acquired with LaVerte. O ur common interest in gardening reinforced the theme, "A ll Gardeners Embrace". A garden truly is a place to restore the spirit, to lose oneself among plants and emerge with afresh prospective. A s Ralph Waldo Emerson aptly said, "A ll my hurts a garden spade can heal." This passage epitomizes LaVerte as I learned o f his love and care fo r his yard and home in the past couple o fyears. This I wanted to share with you about my frien d Verdery Tutt.
W ith Respect, G ratitude a n d A ffection, Cousins Joe a n d L in d a Mosley
3ht Appreciation
The family of Verdery LaVerte Tutt wishes to express sincere gratitude and thanks for the great acts of kindness and responses during the illness and transition of our loved one. Every possible gesture of love and support has been extended to us. For that, we are truly indebted.
We extend ultimate praise to Carol Morgan, Valeria Day, Larry Stevens, Ted Bowman, John Kenner, George T. Bryant, Thelma Gilchrist, Ken Gross, Claudia Crawford, Carl and Lisa Curtis, Larry Brown, Daisy Williams and Patricia Dickerson for surpassing expectations of love and support. To the Heartland Hospice staff, thank you very much: Ashante Jenkins, HHA, Sarah Glover, RN and Gary Tyson, Social Worker.
Special thanks also to Dr. Miriam Atkins (extraordinaire) and her staff and the Augusta Oncology Team of University Hospital.
W.H. Mays Mortuary
"Professional Service A Family Tradition Since 1922' 1221 James Brown Boulevard Augusta, Georgia 30901 (706) 722-6401