Luvern Nettles

Precious Memories

Luvern Wafford Nettles

You are not forgotten, loved one Nor will you ever be,

As long as life and memory last, we will remember thee.

We miss you now; our hearts are sore, as time goes by 

we’ll miss you more. Your loving smile, your gentle face, 

no one can fill your vacant place.

Luvern Wafford Nettles was born on May 17, 1956, in Jackson, Tennessee to her parents, Andrew Theus and Pearlean Winston Theus.  She was the third child born in the family.  She was raised surrounded by her brothers, Tony, Andy, and her sister, Betty.  As a child, she loved dancing.  She enjoyed going to Miss Millie’s after school to help take care of her because she had Multiple Sclerosis and she helped her with her hair. 

Luvern received her formal education by attending Riley High School in South Bend, Indiana.  She furthered her education by attending the University of Phoenix in Denver, Colorado.  She earned an associate degree in business administration; a bachelor’s of science degree in health care services; and master’s degree in health administration and informatics.

On April 21, 1979, Luvern married, John B. Wafford.  They first met in South Bend, IN.  To this union, Terrence and Ralonda were born.  The family shared many happy and precious moments together whether it was dining out, going to church, or opening her doors to everyone who visited. On September 23, 1989, she wed, Burnett Nettles They exchanged vows in Morning Star Baptist Church. They enjoyed traveling overseas. He preceded her in death.  She was later blessed with four grandchildren, Jai-La, Ta’Vion, MarQuel, and Anthony, who all were an additional source of joy and pride in her life. 

They lovingly called her “Grammy” and fondly remember Chipotle dates, church musicals, giving them money for b-days, dancing, Sunday dinners, and watching home movies on VHS tapes. 

By profession, Luvern was employed in Healthcare Administration.  She worked for Kaiser Permanente for thirty-two years. She was hard-working, dedicated, and performed her duties with a spirit of excellence. She worked with Dr. Cheadle, who was the father of the famous actor, Don Cheadle.

A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Luvern was a member of Morning Star Baptist Church.  She served her church and Lord as a Youth Director, President of the Usher Board, and the Mission Department.  At the time of her passing, she had been a member for over thirty years.

Luvern was a fun-loving woman, who enjoyed life and those she encircled.  In her free time, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends, listening to jazz music, traveling, and going to church.  Her closest friends, Melvina Delille, Rosa Poole, Lynell Collier, Mary Hunter, Shirley Brown, and Joe Valdez, will miss her caring heart, her love, compassion, her motivation, and her determination in all she did.  She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind and wonderful woman.  To know Luvern was to love her.

Luvern Wafford Nettles departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on October 10, 2023, in her home in Denver, Colorado.  Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include her children, Terrence M. Wafford of Denver, Colorado, and Ralonda P. (David) Thompson of Maricopa, Arizona; 2 brothers, Tony L. (Stephanie) Theus, of Aurora, Colorado and Andy (Pearl) Theus, Jr of Granger, Indiana; 4 grandchildren Jai-La J. Broadus, Ta’Vion M. Wafford, MarQuel A. Broadus, and Anthony R. Broadus; 6 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews , cousins, other relatives and many friends.