Dena Vernon

Dena Vernon, 92, of California, passed away Monday, March 8, 2010, in California. Dena was born near Clarksburg on January 31, 1918, the daughter of August and Wilhelmina (Schnitger) Sappington. She was married to Carlos A. Vernon on April 8, 1944. She graduated from California High School and she was a confirmed member of the California United Church of Christ where she taught Sunday school. She worked for the California Pants Factory until leaving to care for her children. Later she worked for Burger's Smokehouse and retired from there in 1983. She was active in the High Point Elementary PTA and was a 4-H leader for the Red Brush 4-H Club. Dena loved to sew and quilt and made numerous quilts for her children and grandchildren. She loved the outdoors where she preferred to spend her time planting and growing flowers and vegetables or playing ball with her grandchildren. She especially loved to watch birds. She is survived by one son: Don Vernon and wife Glenna; one daughter: Darles Vernon-Walters and husband John, all of California; five grandchildren: Chad Bell and wife Brandy of Omaha, Nebraska, Tracy Moore and husband Paul of Centralia, Chelsea Vernon, Jordan Vernon and Ryan Vernon, all of California; four great-grandchildren: Grant Bell of Omaha, Nebraska, Noah, Braidy and Payton Moore, all of Centralia; step-grandchildren: Shane and Seth DeWesplore and Nathan Ahart of California; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by both parents, her husband, and two brothers: Edward Sappington and Clarence Sappington; and one sister: Mildred Sappington Schwab. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 12, at the California United Church of Christ. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. n 11:00 a.m. preceding the service. Memorials are suggested to the United Church of Christ. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California.