Verla Mae Laughridge

Verla Mae (Ricks) Laughridge passed away peacefully at her home on May 23, 2023. She was born July 19, 1928, to David Lester Ricks and Rose Catherine Tolman in Heyburn, ID. The family moved to Pocatello when she was 6 years old. When Verla was 22 years old, she met the love of her life, Lloyd Dean “Joe” Laughridge. They were married on November 2, 1950, and that union brought 3 daughters and a son. They moved to Inkom in 1966 where they met some lifelong friends. Life circumstances brought them back to Pocatello in 1971.

During WWII, the child labor laws were put aside, and teenagers were filling the jobs. Verla was just out of the 8th grade when she got her first job at Newberry’s variety store by day and ticket taker at the local theater by night. Her favorite job was being a checker at Smith’s food king. She was voted the most valuable checker at least 6 times there. Verla had an amazing green thumb and lived for gardening. She won the Golden Arrow Award for her efforts a few times. Verla has an unwavering faith in God and brought so many closer to Him. In her younger years, she taught Sunday school classes many times and starting in 1998, she would volunteer at the Women’s Correctional Facility, bringing the gospel to the women.

Verla has a caring soul and never met a stranger. She was always kind and loving to everyone she met. Verla loved birds and cats, especially Persians. Music was so important to her and helped her through many hard times in her life. Verla had an amazing eye for decorating, and she would always be doing some sort of project.

Verla is survived by her oldest and youngest daughters, Shirley Darlene Reed (Keith) and Leslie Ann Martin (Michael), 10 grandchildren, 23 Great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren. She is proceeded in death by her husband of 51 years, Joe Laughridge, son Ross Laughridge and daughter Jody Meusborn, sister Shirley (Ricks) Menard, brother Arthur W. Ricks and 12 half brothers and sisters.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the local animal shelter or your favorite charity.

Verla Mae, you will be missed by so many.

Funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W Chubbuck Rd, Chubbuck, ID 83202.  A Graveside service will follow at 2:45 PM at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S 5th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83201.

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