Myra Laverne Bean Colletti was born to Vernon and Lera Louise Adams Bean in Newton, Texas in 1937. With a graduating class of hardly thirty, she soon left the small town life to pursue a job opportunity in the "big" city of Beaumont. There she met and married Angelo Colletti, Jr., with whom she started a family. As a wife and mother, she made it a point to always be a gracious and welcoming host to those entering her home. Never idle, she worked as a saleswoman while her children grew up, and could sell anything from Tupperware to make-up.

Her two children, Donna and Chris, would each give her three grandchildren, six total- Megan, Mycah, Manda, Hannah, Carina, and Aaron. With these additions to the family, Laverne would become "Maw-Maw." She was a faithful chauffer, a patient playmate (even if it meant watching the Lion King a thousand times), an avid storyteller (despite her early audiences preference for napping), a firm believer in beauty and pampering, an attentive conversationalist, devoted sports fan, and a lover of even the smallest surprises. She was proud of the family and of its history (including the authentic Italian spaghetti sauce recipe) and always tried to impart the value of people's pasts. Qualities like these would earn her proper recognition as Cathedral Christian School’s "Grandparent of the Year" in 2003-2004.

But more than just her qualities as a grandparent, her character as a person deserves equal attention. She might just be the gentlest person you ever came across, never uttering a hateful word against anyone involved in her life, even if some had done plenty to deserve one. But her gentleness did not make her weak; if ever there was a need for someone's strong hands and even stronger prayers, head straight to Laverne. A prime example of this would be used against the poor man who attempted to mug her in a retail parking lot. Little did he know as he attempted to force his way past her into the vehicle that he would be met with cries of "get back in the name of Jesus" along with repeated hits from her purse.

All in all, she bore her matriarchal role with unconditional love and understanding, always interested in the lives her family and always ready to lend advice and speak blessing. We would all do well in striving to mirror her in grace and godliness.

She is survived by her husband, Angelo Colletti, Jr.; children, Chris Colletti and his wife, Colleen and Donna Colletti Williams; grandchildren, Megan Williams; Mycah Williams;  Manda Williams Reese and her husband Tyler; Hannah Colletti, Carina Colletti, and Aaron Colletti, all of Beaumont; sister, Diana Bean Jacobs and her husband, Charles, of Buna; sisters-in-law, Cathy Colletti, of Lumberton, Rosemary Colletti Herring and her husband Bill of Vidor, and brother-in-law Jay Colletti and his wife, Linda, of Crandall, Texas; and ten nieces and nephews.

Laverne is preceded in death by her parents.

A gathering of Mrs. Colletti’s family and friends will begin at 4:00 p.m. at Christian Fellowship Worship Center, with her funeral service to follow at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at Christian Fellowship Worship Center, 3950 Pointe Parkway, Beaumont. Her private graveside service will be held at Kirbyville Cemetery, Kirbyville at a later date under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christian Fellowship Worship Center Eldercare Program, 3950 Pointe Parkway, Beaumont, Texas 77706.

The Colletti Family