LaVerla Elizabeth Gilland, 91, of Dayton, Texas, passed away peacefully on Oct. 11, 2026. She was born on May 30, 1935, in Shelby, Texas to Dennis “Fate” LaFayette Wilson and Ocie Estelle “Elledge” Wilson.
LaVerla graduated from high school in Florida, she then moved to Texas where she met Herschel Gilland and had two beautiful girls.
LaVerla enjoyed classic country music from artists such as George Jones, Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson. She also loved spending time gardening and solving crosswords and other puzzles. LaVerla was also a voracious reader that enjoyed a variety of genres. She also enjoyed watching her favorite western TV series like Gunsmoke, Cheyanne, The Virginian, and Wagon Train. These were the many ways she enjoyed passing the time, but her greatest joys was the time she spent with her family, especially her three grandsons Jacob, Sam, and Joshua.
LaVerla is survived by her daughters Theresa Webster and Peggy Osborne; her grandsons Jacob, Sam Osborne, and Joshua Webster, her sister Francis “Etoile” Wilson: and many loving, extended family members, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Herschel Dee Gilland, her brothers; Bob Wilson, Danny Wilson, Bill Wilson and Harold “Pinky “Wilson.
She will be remembered for her deep love of family and will be dearly missed.
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