LaVerne Youngblade

Dr. LaVerne Mae Harper Youngblade passed away on June 15, 2019 after a courageous battle with numerous health issues. She was born on April 30, 1937 and grew up in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area, LaVerne graduated from Swissvale High School and as per the climate of the 1950s, was not encouraged to pursue further education. However, her dreams and her internal drive for knowledge went way beyond that. LaVerne enlisted in the US Marine Corps to save money for college. While in the Marines at Camp Lejeune, she played on the basketball team. LaVerne had to suffer the indignities of not being allowed in "white only" restaurants or service stations. Although faced with this discrimination, LaVerne persevered and enjoyed a successful season. With her level of skill and athleticism, and had Title One been available, she would have earned a scholarship to a major university. After leaving the Marines, she enrolled at Central State College (now University) a historically black college in Wilberforce, Ohio. There she met her future husband David Youngblade, and they married in 1963. Being a trailblazer, it is no surprise that they were married four years before the US Supreme Court ruled that interracial marriages were legal in all 50 states. Following her undergraduate degree, LaVerne taught at Yellow Springs High School in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Her education continued as she received her first Master's degree from Central State University. LaVerne and David then moved to Michigan in 1970. She worked in various roles as an assistant principal, counselor and teacher in the Saginaw Public Schools. During that time LaVerne continued her educational pursuits and gained a second Master's degree from Michigan State University. This was soon followed by her Doctorate (Ed.D) from Western Michigan University. LaVerne retired from her career in education in 2001. LaVerne loved owning and driving fast sports cars, being surrounded by family and enjoyed many games of basketball with her grandchildren. After 56 years of marriage, LaVerne is survived by her husband, David and two daughters, Sandy Moore and Kim M. Seidel; her grandchildren, Vivian Youngblade Sykes, Marissa Gloria, Dennis Pratt Jr., Braxton Seidel and Haevyn Seidel; great grandchildren, Ashton, Michael, Tristan Hudson, Kaiden, Sophia and Asher. FUNERAL: A funeral service will take place at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State), Saginaw on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive visitors beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial and military honors under the auspices of the United States Marine Corps will immediately follow at the Hebrew Cemetery of Saginaw with Rabbi Yisroel Weingarten serving as the officiant. MEMORIALS: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to Central State University Foundation, Wilberforce, Ohio. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com