Page 55 - The Scepter - Summer_Fall 2016
P. 55
Top Ladies of Distinction Remembers…
Founder, Lady Laverne Reese Madlock, passed away at the age of
94, on December 19, 2016 in Tyler, Texas. She was born February 15, 1922 to W. H.
Reese and Curtis Miles Reese in Henderson, Texas.
Lady Laverne was a graduate of Texas College of Tyler, Texas with a Bachelor of Sci-
ence degree in Home Economics, Masters in Institutional Management with a minor
in Home Economics Education from Iowa State University. She also received a di-
ploma of Culinary Art from New York University in New York, New York. Her hob-
bies include sewing, cooking and fishing.
Her many accolades in “Recipient of the Danforth Graduate Fellowship” and
“Woman of the Year for the East Texas Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Auxilia-
ry”. Lady LaVerne’s civic contributions have been many. She was the Emergency
War Food Assistant in Bryant, Texas, Food Instructor at Texas College’s Home Economics Department, Acting
Head at Texas College’s Home Economics Department, Associate Director at VHTAT, Director of School Lunch
Workshops, Social Worker and Coordinator of Parent Education for Head Start Program, member of the Ameri-
can Home Economics Association, International Platform Association, Treasurer of the North Tyler Day Nurse-
ry, Past Basileus Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Founder and National President of Top Ladies of Distinction,
Inc. member of the Carnegie Library Board, Juvenile Board Review, Collegiate Club and American Association of
Women, member of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., alumni of Iowa State University and Texas Col-
lege She was a longtime member of Miles Chapel CME where she served on the Stewardess Board #1.
Lady Laverne was preceded in death by her parents, W. H. Reese and Curtis Miles Reese, husband Dr. Payton E.
Madlock DDS, four (4) brothers, two (2) sisters and caregiver Rita. Survivors include Lady LaVerne’s sister, Miri-
am King of Henderson, Texas and a host of nieces, nephews , cousins and lifelong friends. Her fondest memo-
ries were attending many conferences and conducting service to mankind while working to improve the commu-
nity.
