Celia Lavern Alderson, devoted mother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 22 at the age of 98. Born in Waverly, TN and raised in Wardell, Missouri, where she spent most of her life.  Lavern moved to the Memphis area nearly 30 years ago, and built a new chapter rooted in family, faith, and service.

A woman known for her fierce love of family, she never missed an opportunity to brag about her children and grandchildren—even to complete strangers. Her greatest joy was being surrounded by loved ones, and she poured her heart into caring for them in every way she could.
A talented seamstress, she made most of her children's clothes by hand when they were young—each stitch a quiet act of love. She served as a school secretary for 30 years, bringing kindness, patience, and an open heart to every child, teacher, and parent who walked through her doors.
She shared a special bond with her two sisters, and their laughter and adventures created memories that will be cherished forever. An avid Memphis Tigers fan, she attended basketball games with passion and pride for as long as her health allowed. Generosity was her nature. She had a quiet ministry of baking homemade bread and delivering it to others, including her pastor—a simple but powerful expression of her love and faith. Her spirit of giving and her deep commitment to others made a lasting impact on all who knew her. A faithful member of Wardell Baptist Church and later Bartlett Baptist Church, she served her church communities with devotion until her health no longer allowed. Her faith was the foundation of her life.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband Murrie Roland Alderson; and brothers, Noel Curtis, Eugene Curtis and Clyde Curtis.

Lavern leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, JoAnn (Morris) Fisher of Germantown, Tennessee, Peggy (Jim) Blanchard of Byhalia, Mississippi, and Shirley (Salvador) Feraci of Lakeland, Tennessee; Sons, Douglas (Fran) Alderson of Bloomfield, Missouri and Carl (Lynn) Alderson of Wardell, Missouri; Sister, Betty Phillips of Wardell, Missouri and Judy May of Lakeland, Tennessee; Brother, Joe Curtis of Millington, Tennessee; Grandchildren, Tammy Cochran, Christy Cook, Lanie Oberg, Richard Alderson, Shannon Jarvis, Chip Blanchard,  Lia Savino, John Fisher, Sam Feraci, Josh Feraci, and Sara Shea; and 36 Great Grandchildren.