Lodi Vernon

(From Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home)

Lorraine (Lodi) Lee Vernon was born on June 3, 1931, in Sapulpa, OK, the daughter of Barney and Finnetti (Walker) Weaver. Lorraine, or Lodi, as her family and friends called her, was the fourth of five children in her family. Her brothers and sister were Barney Jr, June, Jack, and Roger.

Lodi graduated from Sapulpa High School in 1949, and attended Ozark Bible College in Joplin, MO for a short time. But in that short time she met a young man, B.J. Vernon from Lebanon, MO who squashed a big bug at her request. Their friendship bloomed into love and they were married on May 29, 1950. Their union was blessed with four children. Their early years were somewhat nomadic, living in Cherryvale, KS, Joplin, MO, Orange, CA, Springfield, MO, Dewey, OK, and back to Springfield, MO before finally building their final home in Willard, MO.

Lodi was a very talented cook as well as an accomplished pianist. Raising her children was her primary focus. Once her children were grown, Lodi served as a Chaplain’s Assistant at Cox Hospital in Springfield, MO for 10 years. Lodi was raised in the Christian faith by her mother and loved the Lord all her life. 

 As a minister’s wife, she also sang with her husband and three of his brothers and their wives. Serving the Lord was an important part of her life. The Vernon Brothers and their wives and families traveled across the United States and internationally. They had a national television ministry while the brothers served as preachers in local churches. Lodi also had a passion for animals, whether it be for family dogs or cats, or for feeding wild animals (raccoons, opossums, stray cats, etc.) as well.

Lodi passed from this life into eternal life in Jesus on November 27, 2024.

Lodi was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and her beloved husband of 69 ½ years, BJ, in 2019. She was also preceded in death by one grandson, Weston White.

Lodi is survived by her children, Linda White and her husband, Jim, Michael Vernon and his wife, Linda, James Vernon and his wife, Lana, Lisa Gonzalez and her husband, Gerardo. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Derek, Lindsay, Christopher, Melina, Alec, Matthew, Nicolas, Evan, Bree, and Kayla; and 4 great grandchildren: Serena, Abigael, Elliana and Ari. Lodi will be missed by many other family members and a great number of friends.

No services are planned at this time.