Verna Mae Green was born June 27, 1948 in Como, North Carolina to the late Louise Cooper and Percy Worrell. As times were back then, family depended on family to help with raising children, Verna was adopted by the late Cora Lee and Leandus Artis. Verna fit in as the fourth of seven children. Verna was a very active child and always in kahoots, mischief & shenanigans with older brothers Hurley (Red) & Harry. She attended Hayden High school where she loved & excelled at sports.

By the time Verna was 17, she was on her way to Boston to start a new life. She arrived and moved in with her sister, the late Shirley Anderson. In 1965, she gave birth to her first of four children. Verna worked at Boston City Hospital for over 25 years . Originally in Central Laundry, before transferring to the Labor & Delivery Ward as a Medical Instrument Technician, where she retired to care for her GrandChildren.

In 1975, she moved her family to Mission Hill, where they would reside for over 20 years. In 1981, Verna married her longtime fiance, the late Willie J. Green. Together they kept us in line, food on the table, a roof overhead and were fierce protectors of us. Growing up, music was always being played throughout the house. Whether we were cooking, cleaning or playing, there was a tune being played! Howling Wolf, Rod Stewart, BB King, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Blind Boys of Alabama, Motown & Philly Soul and everything in between. And, if there was no music Momma would whistle, this instilled a great love & appreciation of all kinds of music in her children. Verna dedicated her life to her children, especially her boys, who were born with Muscular Dystrophy. Verna didn’t let that stop her children, they were going to enjoy life to the fullest. Verna made sure of that by giving her children every opportunity to rise no matter what the physical said they couldn’t do. Always a Momma Bear!

In later years, Verna lost both her Sons to complications with Muscular Dystrophy. Then her Husband to natural causes. But She found joy in her Grandchildren and later her Great-Grandchildren. She always said “I hope the Good Lord let me live long enough to see my Great Grandson graduate high school”. And He did.

In her neighborhood of Lower Mills where she lived for 25+ years, she loved shopping at Shaw’s supermarket & CVS, always picking up the latest “smell good” for her house & making friends along the way. Verna enjoyed being a homebody, cooking for her family and friends, while setting them straight about whatever antics they were up to in only a way Verna Mae could. If she ever straightened you out, you know what I mean. She had a way of bringing us together through food and love.

Verna was a word search puzzle fanatic and would watch her favorite shows & westerns while puzzling in her book. The Lifetime channel was her thing especially when Vivica Fox’s shows aired! And never call her when Cookie & Empire was on – Momma was in her glory. She admired women of color “doing their thing” as she called it!

On August 4th, 2022, the Good Lord called Verna home to Glory. And, though Verna has gone up yonder, she has surely left her mark and a legacy to carry on. Rest Peacefully, we got it from here Momma!

Verna is preceded in death by her Parents, Louise Cooper, Percy Worrell, Cora Lee Arts, Leandus Artis; Husband, Willie Green; Sons, Brian & Willie Cooper; Sister Shirley Anderson; Brothers, Charles Hunt, Randolph Hunt, Melvin Worrell and Harry Artis and her Cat Jax.

Verna’s legacy and memory will continue through her children. Daughters, Hermina Cooper (Eric Holman), Tamara Cooper; Grand Daughters Sharai & Brynasha Cooper & Lucretia Fitzpatrick; Grandsons Brian Jr. & Justin Cooper; Great Grandsons Karay, Khymani, Amori, Jason and Julius; Great Grand Daughter Raquel.

Verna is survived by her Aunt, Pattie Williams – Garner NC; Sisters, Anne Hunt-Pope (Henry) – Como, NC; Etta Mae Parker, Murfreesboro – NC; Eula Paige Crockett – Heathsville, VA; Audrey Wilkerson (William); Delphine Stephenson – Boykins, VA; Lisa Justice, Rose Joyner – Franklin, VA. Brothers, Hurley Artis – Franklin, VA, Woody Artis – Woodbridge, VA, Willie L. Worrell (Kim) – Warrenton, PA and a host of Cousins, Nieces & Nephews.

Funeral Service Wednesday, August 16, 2022, in the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, at 11 oclock. Visiting Hours 10 – 11am. Interment Fairview Cemetery.