On December 8, 2007, after a brief illness, at the age of 81 (three days before her 82nd birthday), Sarah LaVerne Baxendale, a loving and caring mother, grandmother, neighbor, and friend, passed away at the home of her son with her family at her side. La- Verne was born on December 11, 1925, in Duncan, OK, daughter of the late Charles and Grace Wyatt. She was the youngest of five children. LaVerne grew up in Oklahoma City and attended Capitol Hill High School, graduating in 1943. After high school, she moved to Roundup, MT, then to Artesia, CO, where she worked for Oilwell Supply Company. When the Artesia office closed, she moved back to Oklahoma where she worked for Oilwell Supply's Oklahoma City office. LaVerne married Norman Baxendale on June 8, 1951, in Odessa, TX, where they moved shortly afterwards. They were married 31 years until Norman's death in April of 1983. Throughout her life, La- Verne was involved in church, school, and community activities. LaVerne, faithful to her Lord, enjoyed reading the Bible and Sunday School lessons, and devotionals, and whole heartedly believed in the power of prayer. She faithfully attended St. Andrews Presbyterian Church for over 50 years, where she served as President of the Women of the Church, and as a Sunday School teacher. At her death, LaVerne was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where her devotionals uplifted the Mr./Mrs. Sunday School Class. As a youth, and again as an adult, she was active in Rainbow Girls. She formed and was president of the OCU Alpha Phi Mother's Club and was a member of the OSU Alpha Delta Pi Mother's Club. LaVerne served in her children's PTA, homeroom, and booster clubs, attended parent's and grandparent's days, as well as most of her children's, grandchildren's, and great-grandchildren's programs and activities. She was active in the Kerr McGee Retirees, Capitol Hill Alumni, and a bridge club. Her greatest joy revolved around hosting family celebrations including holidays and birthdays. She loved attending the Wyatt/Mabry Family and Rogers Family reunions. LaVerne had a gift of always remembering the birthdays and anniversaries of generations of family and friends by sending cards and personal notes. She loved keeping in contact with others by writing letters. She left a legacy of love for her family. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have lasting memories of summer days at the Oklahoma City Zoo. She will be missed by her surviving children, Beverly Viveros and husband Richard of Oklahoma City, Bobbie Moore and husband Bob of Oklahoma City, Charles Baxendale and wife Cindi (CJ) of Norman, and Tammy Wonderly and husband Gregg of Tulsa; her grandchildren, Donna, Roy, Chris, Candice, Carl, Robert, Katie, and Ali; and her great-grandchildren, Crystal, Tyler, Kendan, Krislyn, and Kenzi. A multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends will also miss her. The family is comforted in knowing that LaVerne is at peace in heaven, laughing with all her family and friends who went before her. LaVerne was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Baxendale; her parents, Charles and Grace Wyatt; brothers, Alden Wyatt, and Charles Wyatt; sister, Treva Wilson; and an infant brother. The family would like to thank Physicians Care Home Hospice, Allen and Lanette Noble for their responsive support, which made LaVerne's final days comfortable, dignified and peaceful. The family will be present to greet friends at Mercer Adams Chapel on Thursday, December 13 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Services to celebrate her life will be Friday, December 14, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at Mercer Adams Chapel, 3925 N. Asbury, Bethany, OK. Burial will be at Resthaven Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made, in her memory, to the Oklahoma Zoo, 2101 N.E. 50th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111.