Laverne Nelda Kuntze Calvert, age 84, passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Milton, Georgia.

Laverne was born on Wednesday, May 20, 1942, at her family's farmhouse in Tilsit, Missouri. She was the fifth of 13 children born to Alvin and Thekla Kuntze. Laverne enjoyed telling others that she had been born in a log cabin, as the room in which she was born had originally been a log cabin before additional rooms were added to the home.

Laverne was baptized as an infant at the family home by the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on March 25, 1956, by the Reverend Marvin Koch. Following her marriage, she embraced her husband's faith and was baptized into the Southern Baptist Church. Her faith remained an important part of her life.

At the age of five, Laverne survived a serious childhood accident after her dress caught fire while she was playing with matches. Her injuries were so severe that the doctor warned her parents she might not survive the night. Laverne later viewed her recovery as evidence that God's plan for her life was not yet complete.

She attended Tilsit Public School through the sixth grade and graduated from the eighth grade at Immanuel Lutheran School. She earned her high school diploma from the American Correspondence School in Chicago on December 3, 1964, and later attended Southwestern Business College in Houston, Texas.

Laverne developed a strong work ethic at an early age. From the ages of 14 through 19, she worked full time on her family's cattle and grain farm. She later worked at Jackson International Shoe Factory before moving to Houston, where she worked for Lumbermen's Investment Corporation. Beginning as a receptionist and secretary, she advanced to become the company's sole loan processor.

After moving to Georgia, Laverne worked as a stenographer for Gulf Oil Corporation in Atlanta. She then began a distinguished career in the legal profession, working first for attorney Jeremiah Luxemburger and later as a paralegal at Kutak Rock. She subsequently joined Bryan Cave, where she was welcomed as a senior paralegal. Laverne retired on June 29, 2018, from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP after 41 years of dedicated service.

In 1967, Laverne married Billie Ross Calvert. She was blessed with three children: twin sons William Christopher "Chris" Calvert and Wesley Clinton Calvert, and daughter Jennifer Thekla Calvert. Wesley died on his third day of life. After eight and a half years of marriage, Laverne became a single mother and the sole provider for her children. Her perseverance, independence, strong work ethic, and devotion to her family were defining qualities throughout her life.

Laverne was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin Kuntze and Thekla Kuntze; her brothers, Kenneth Kuntze and Larry Kuntze; her sisters, Marian Aufdenberg, Nancy Krauss, and Gloria Kuntze; her sons, Wesley Calvert and Chris Calvert; and her daughter-in-law, Jenny Calvert, wife of Chris.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer South, and son-in-law, Chuck South; her 8 grandchildren, Nathan Calvert-Cowling, Alissa Cowling, Alexis Cowling, Robert Calvert, Jonathan Calvert, Anna Calvert, Alex Calvert, and Ashlyn Calvert; her brother, Gerald "Butch" Kuntze, and his wife, Pat; and her sisters, Mabel Fisher, Verla Davidson, Janice Cheney and her husband, Ken, Karen Scott and her husband, Noel, Karla Kuntze, and Bonnie Wynn and her husband, Don. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Ella Mae Kuntze and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service celebrating Laverne's life will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Roswell First Baptist Church in Roswell, Georgia. A reception will follow the service.

In accordance with her wishes, Laverne will be cremated. She entrusted the selection of her final resting place to her family, secure in her Christian faith and her belief that the spirit is no longer bound to the earthly body.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Roswell First Baptist Church.