LaVerna Nunez Bruce, 87, of Lumberton died September 1, 2011, at Village Creek Rehab and Nursing Center.  Born November 22, 1923, in Port Neches, she was the daughter of Natalie Istre LaBove and Van LaBove. LaVerna was a telephone operator with Trinity Valley Telephone Company.

She is survived by her daughters, Charlene Gutierrez and her husband, Richard of Lumberton, Linda Gray of McKinney, and Verna Nunez of Richmond; stepson, J. L. Nunez and his wife, Suzy of Hillister; brother, Adam LaBove of Winnie; grandchildren, Richard Gutierrez and his wife, Gina of Groves, Jason Gutierrez and his wife, Krystle of Pearland, Daniel Gutierrez and his wife, Lori of Houston, Tracey Sheffield of Richmond, Harold Serenbetz and his wife, Dana of Katy and Amanda Scarborough of Odessa; six step grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.  LaVerna was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Joe Nunez, Caurthur Herring, and Richard Bruce; and sisters, Eve Page, Edolia Savoy, and Anna Savoy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 5, 2011, at Infant Jesus Catholic Church, 243 L. H. S. Drive, Lumberton under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.  A graveside service will follow at 1:00 p.m.  at Fairview Cemetery.  A gathering of family and friends will be Sunday evening, September 4, 2011, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. with a Rosary recited at 6:30 p.m. at Broussard’s.

Memorial contributions may be made to Infant Jesus Catholic Church Altar Society, P O Box 8180, Lumberton, Texas 77657.