RALEIGH

Laverne Cooper was born to Garlon G, and the late Evelyn Cooper, on July 25th 1951 in Windsor, NC. She attended W.S. Etheridge School. As a child, some of her favorite things to do included protecting her baby brother; using a broom or hair brush as a microphone to sing and dance with her sisters; running back and forth across the ditch; and sitting on the back porch talking to her cousins. Laverne moved to Newark, NJ at the age of 13 with her uncle, Hoyt Cooper. She attended Weequahic High School. Shortly after graduation, Laverne gave birth to her first child, Curtis. She later attended Essex County Community College with hopes of becoming a court stenographer. In the late 1970s, Laverne met the love of her life, the late, Fready Griffin. They dated for many years and eventually married. Of that union, 3 daughters were born.

Instead of becoming a court stenographer, Laverne found a career as a claims adjuster at Blue Cross & Blue Shield, which she loved and worked until retirement. In 2011 she moved to Raleigh, NC.

Laverne, the eldest of 6 children, was considered the matriarch of the family. Known as "Mama Griffin" to many, she was loved by everyone that took the time to get to know her. She will be remembered for her selfless heart, love for music (stealing the aux cord at family functions), sense of humor, cussing like a sailor and her love for her family.

On August 23, 2021, surrounded by her children, Laverne departed this life at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh. Laverne was preceded in death by her mother Evelyn Cooper, and brother Garlon B. Cooper. She leaves to cherish her memory her father Garlon G. Cooper of Windsor, NC; brother Gurney Cooper of Mt. Olive, NC; Sister Katherine (Granville) Barnes of Woodbridge, VA; sister Beatrice Cooper, brother Norris (Karen) Cooper, and son Curtis Moye, all of Windsor, NC; daughters Yevette Griffin, Erica Griffin, & Yeveshia Griffin, all of Raleigh, NC; 10 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.