Verna Mae Byrum

Verna Mae Byrum December 19, 1925 - January 30, 2022 Verna Mae Thompson was born to John Guy and Beulah Jean (Anderson) Thompson in Schuyler County, Illinois. In 1930, after the death of her mother, her grandparents, Harry and Bertha Anderson, stepped in to raise the children and she grew up on their farm. She was a 1943 graduate of Beardstown High School and was a devoted member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Beardstown. Verna married Charles Faletti on October 23, 1949. They were blessed with one daughter, Carletta (Carla) Jean. The family moved from Illinois to Spokane, Washington in 1966 where Verna was employed by the Spokane Public Schools as the bookroom clerk at Havermale Junior High and secretary at Shaw Junior High. Following a move in 1971, Verna worked as Title Clerk for Hessel Motors in Gresham, Oregon and later for the U.S. Department of Energy in Portland. Verna was widowed on November 4, 1974 after which she remained in Oregon until her marriage to David Henry Byrum Sr. on January 6, 1979 and returned to Spokane, Washington until his death in 2005 after which she returned to the Portland/Vancouver area where she made her home until her death on January 30, 2022. Verna was a wonderful homemaker, devoted and loving wife and mother and an amazing grandmother and great-grandmother, known as "Grandma" to all of her grandchildren and their friends. She had a strong conviction to the Lord and knew she would join her loved ones who went before her. Verna was a member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, a 40 year member of Bible Study Fellowship International, a regular at Luepke Center where she enjoyed playing pinochle and socializing. In addition to her parents, grandparents and husbands, Verna was preceded in death by her infant brother, Wesley Earl Thompson, niece, Jeanette Benson Long and nephew, Stephen Benson. Verna is survived by her daughter, Carla Faletti of Vancouver, Washington, sister, Shirley Benson of Ohio, niece, Janis (John) Shriver of Ohio and nephew, Brad Potts of Idaho. Also surviving are granddaughters, Emily Escudero, Jeanine (Brandon) Jessee, Danielle (Henry) Priest, and Heather O'Donnell; great-grandchildren, Charles Escudero, Sarah Escudero, Jaden Escudero and Virginia Priest. Verna is also survived by step-sons, Fred (Peggy) Byrum, David (Carrie) Byrum and Ron (Kathy) Byrum, step-grandchildren whom she loved as her own, David Mike Byrum, Debbie Byrum James, Deanna (Sean) Dennison, Kathleen (Frank) Kai, Heidi Byrum, Rick (Amy) Byrum and Jeana (Chad) Swanson. Fifteen great-grandchildren and thirteen great-great-grandchildren also survive.