Wilson Little Funeral Home
Purcell-Newcastle, McClain Co., OK
(permission granted)

Laverne Claunch, age 89 of Purcell, passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at the Lexington Nursing Home. Helen Laverne Shea was born July 29, 1931 in Purcell, OK, 1 of 9 children born to Daniel William Shea and Helen Edmae (Dumas) Shea. She was raised in the Purcell/Dibble area and attended Dibble Schools. On June 2, 1950, Laverne married her best friend and life partner, Hershel Ray Claunch. They made their home in Purcell, where together they raised 5 children, sons, Danny Ray, David and Danny Jay and daughters, Sharon and Janet. Laverne’s greatest joy was her family, and she cherished being a wife, mother and eventually a grandmother and great grandmother. She was a sweet soul, generous and kind, and a wise woman. Laverne loved having a good laugh and all things George Jones and she leaves a wonderful legacy for all who knew her. She was a woman of great faith and longtime member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Purcell.

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Hershel Ray Claunch; parents, Dan and Helen Shea; brothers, Ralph Shea and Bill Shea and sisters, Betty Smith and Dorothy Simeroth.

Laverne is survived by: 3 sons; Danny Ray Claunch of Wayne, David Patrick Claunch of Purcell and Danny Jay Claunch of Wayne; 2 daughters; Sharon Kay Barton of Wayne and Janet Sue King of Wayne; 2 brothers; Bobby Joe Shea and wife Gloria of Purcell and Dan Shea of Lexington; 2 sisters; Linda Tippit and husband Richard of Okla. City and Ruby Whatley of Purcell; 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

A Rosary Service will be held at 6:00 P.M. Thursday, February, 11, 2021, at Little’s Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Friday, February 12, 2021, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery. Send online condolences @ www.wilsonlittle.com.