Verna A. Felder, age 63, passed away Saturday, March 22, at her home.
Ms. Felder, the daughter of the late Leroy and Laura Hickson Felder, was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on April 24, 1961. At the age of eight, Verna’s family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she graduated from East Mecklenburg High School. In 1984, she graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS in Speech Pathology. She served as an educator for four years in the states of Virginia and North Carolina. In 1989, Verna joined the Army Reserves. After a few months of training, she became a member of the 337th Military Intelligence Battalion in Charlotte, where she worked as a 63 B Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. She became an active member of the Army's 1st Armored Division in Germany in 1992. Her unit was the 125th Forward Support Battalion in Mannheim, Germany. There she earned an Army Achievement Medal (AAM) for meritorious service while performing her mechanical duties in a difficult field environment. In 1994, she became a member of the 296th Forward Support Battalion in Ft. Lewis, Washington, where she continued to serve as a mechanic. Shortly after being promoted to Sergeant, she was challenged with the responsibilities of squad leader and conducting and supervising vehicle maintenance. In addition to these duties, Verna oversaw key control for approximately 42 vehicles. Her second AAM was earned while serving with this unit. In the summer of 1995, she was reclassified to the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of Personnel Administrative Assistant. She went on to a different MOS at the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) in Richmond, where she was responsible for the personnel concerns of four soldiers in addition to assisting the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center with departmental matters and monitoring the investigations of reports of surveys. After arriving at BGAD, she also worked diligently to complete 54 hours of training in the Army Correspondence Course of Chaplain Assistant.
Ms. Felder not only served her nation, but she also served her local community. She was a member of the Richmond Seventh Day Adventist Church and, most recently, worked for Kindergarten Academy. Her interests included community and youth involvement, motivational speaking, playing sports, wood crafts, reading, and watching westerns.
Survivors include several cousins: Rev. Sylvester E. Hickson, Carolyn M. (& Edward) Simmons, Diana M. Plummer, Steven Watts, Emerale Byers, Chanel Morgan, Deanya Morgan, Eleazar Plummer, Ari’Yana McCorey, India Smith, Michael Byers, Jr., Emeri Byers, Patrick Morgan, Nicole H. Oliver and Ariana Hickson. She is also survived by her lifelong friend Carrie (& Gary) Noland and several dear friends and church family.
Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home.
The funeral service will begin at Noon on Thursday with Pastor Deni Reis officiating. Burial will follow in the Camp Nelson National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. www.cpcfh.com
