Laverne McKenzie, 94 of Bakersfield, California passed away on April 27, 2025. Laverne was born April 3, 1931 in Heavener, Oklahoma, the daughter of Pearl Ann Earls Hight and Robert Marshal Hight.

Laverne attended school in Independence before marrying James (Jim) McKenzie. Laverne and James moved to California, where she worked in a variety of roles but was most proud of her time as a bookkeeper.

Laverne loved her family, especially her nieces and nephews. She talked to her siblings as often as possible and was known to scold if she didn’t hear from you at least once a month. She enjoyed crosswords and word searches to keep her mind and hands busy, and read her Bible daily.

Remaining to remember her, are siblings Fred Hight, Mary Ruth Doggett, and Anita Pond, numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and friends who feel like family.

She is preceded in death by her husband James (Jim) McKenzie; her parents; and siblings Marie Milligan, Joy Bullard, Marshal Hight, Ralph Hight, and Martha Naylor.

Donations may be made in memory of her life well lived to your favorite religious or charitable organization.

Graveside services for Ms. Laverne will be 12:30 p.m., Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Springhill Cemetery Pavilion on HWY 83 in Howe, Oklahoma with Brother Brad Hill officiating. Burial will follow in Springhill Cemetery under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Heavener, Oklahoma.

Viewing will be Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

To sign Laverne’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

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