Obituary of Verner Meeks Sr.

Verner Meeks Sr. was born on February 12, 1944, to mother, Anna Mae Hill and father, Wiley Meeks Sr. in Jonestown, Mississippi. He was the fourth child born of five. He accepted Christ and was baptized at the early age of 11, also in Jonestown, Mississippi. Verner Meeks Sr. was the hardest working and most fiercely independent individual. At an early age, his father instilled in him an impeccable work ethic. Verner, wanted to be near his father as much as he could so from sunup to sundown he worked along-side him in the fields and beyond. He was exceptionally strong and fast for his age and was known to outwork many of the older men during his days picking cotton. As a member of the 4H club he won several state corn competitions whose winnings helped to provide for the family. He often shared, with great amusement, that one of the motivational factors for his hard work was to get money so that he could buy wagon wheel cookies and to jingle the change in his pocket for (the girls) all to know that he was paid. In 1963, as an adult, Verner moved to St. Louis, MO to take advantage of better life building opportunities. He loved hard and in reward he was blessed with children who love equally as hard and prospered under his guide; Antonio Meeks (Quohonna) and Verner Meeks Jr. (Consuella), Chavis Meeks, Tanisha Meeks and Montrell Snider. Verner worked for Crown Foods and shortly thereafter for General Motors where he retired after 31 years. He used those hard-earned funds to build a legacy and purchased many, multi-family rental properties. As the owner and Chief Engineer, Verner employed his sons, nieces, and nephews to assist with all repairs and upkeep. If you knew Verner, Saturday mornings were for working and every able body was expected to fall in line. No matter the size of the job, Verner and his self- proclaimed ‘Try Hard’ team was up to the task. While he worked hard, he played equally as hard. He played softball for the Mustangs and UAW teams and was known to swing a mighty bat, run like the wind, and struck out more batters with an arc and back spin unimaginable in a softball game. There was no park that could hold the Home Run King! When he retired his bat, he worked just as fervently in his church homes. He cherished his membership at Greater Mount Carmel MB Church where he organized a musical event called The Extravaganza (2007-2008) which included male choirs from all around the region and later at First Baptist Church of Elmwood Park. There he was ordained as a Deacon and also sang in the choir. He was one of the biggest, most off-beat, and off-tune voices in the stands, but when he sang for the Lord, it was his worship, and he was committed. Verner was blessed to share life with five special women who each anchored a time in his life and a place in his heart: Maxine Stanford Jackson, Belvia Branch, Betty Meeks, Carla Lucius, and Loretta Baker. Nearly 3 years ago, Verner was hit hard with a debilitating stroke. He was able to live independently and with dignity in his home, due to the daily care provided by Charleseta “Ms. Charlie” Peal in partnership with Antonio and Verner Jr. During this time, he remained strong willed and often mustered the physical strength to do what his body told him was impossible. Not to be counted out before his time, Verner grabbed on to each of his sons in his last days and with a deep, meaning- filled gaze, communicated to them that his journey was at an end. After years of being everyone’s superman, his body tired of the fight and he waited on the Lord to touch his spirit. On the evening of June 15th at 10:50 pm at DePaul hospital Verner Meeks Sr. heard the master’s voice saying, “my child you’ve fought the good fight, you’ve kept the faith and now you must enter the gates of everlasting life”. He was surrounded, physically by his loving, faithful, dedicated sons Tony and Vern and in spirit by all those who held him in high esteem. Verner was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Margaret Scott, Wilson Meeks Sr., and Herman Meeks, Rosco Meeks, Stanford Meeks, Wiley Meeks Jr., Rufus Meeks, Monroe Meeks, Nelia Elbert, Essie Lee Griffith, Pearl Sallie, and Dorothy Davis. He leaves to cherish his memory his siblings Earlene Williams (Meeks), Marks Meeks, Elmira Trvin-Johnson; children, Daughters in Love, Kristie Snider, and Victoria Lucius, 12 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and a whole community of loved ones. We were all blessed to be loved and supported by Verner. While he will be sorely missed, we will carry on his legacy of hard work, dedication to family, and love for the Lord.