<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">LeVern was a dedicated member of the Federation. He became blind around the age of 60 (after a long life as a sighted person), and when blindness came, LeVern was not expecting it. He considered taking his own life, sitting on his bed with his gun for several hours one afternoon. But fortunately for us, he decided to live. LeVern often spent hours on the phone talking with and counseling people who were newly blind. <div><br></div><div>As to his delicious barbecue, I once asked him to prepare it for a legislative reception. It made quite an impression when the senators and house members in Columbia realized that the BBQ they were enjoying was made by a blind man. </div><div><br></div><div>LeVern's daughter, Valerie, was kind enough to drive for me beginning in 2005 until I moved to Baltimore in 2015. </div><div><br></div><div>Our prayers go out to Valerie and LeVern's wife Jeri, and to the rest of his family, and large network of friends </div><div><br><div dir="ltr">Parnell Diggs<div>Sent from my iPhone</div></div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On Feb 12, 2023, at 1:19 PM, Marty McKenzie via NFBofSC <nfbofsc@nfbnet.org> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">
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<p class="MsoNormal">Good Afternoon Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am sadden to report the passing of Mr. Laverne Wilson, past president of the Conway Chapter and long-time former NFB of SC state board member. Laverne gave many years of dedicated service to the NFB of SC in his work with his local chapter
and work on the state board. He cooked excellent BBQ which was enjoyed by Federationists and others from time to time.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please remember his family during this difficult time of loss. As more information becomes available, we will share it here.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
My Best,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Marty<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Marty R. McKenzie, President<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina<o:p></o:p></p>
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