Vernethel Gadsden Obituary

Vernethel Gadsden Hollywood, SC - Ms. Gadsden was born on January 16, 1946. She died suddenly and unexpectedly at 5:54 a.m. Monday, Memorial Day, May 31, 2021 at St. Francis Hospital, Charleston, S.C. Her untimely death took the family by surprise. She was 75 years old with a joyful and youthful spirit. Her official name is stated above, however, she is known affectionately as Mommy by her children, Grandma by her grandchildren, Vern and Bernetta by many, and "Netta" to many others. Nevertheless, to all who love her dearly, she'll simply be remembered as a beautiful loving child of God and a devoted follower of the Master, Jesus Christ. Ms. Gadsden was born in the home built by her father on the peninsula, Yonges Island, S.C., 23 miles off the coast of Charleston, S.C. Her parents, Mr. Willie "Bustah" Porter and Mrs. Martha Louise Green Porter, preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her maternal grandparents, the Rev. Allen Green and Mrs. Daisy Brown Green (Cochran) and her paternal grandparents, Mr. Charlie Porter, III and Mrs. Isabella Edwards Porter. Nearly, the entire generation produced by both sets of her grandparents has preceded her in death, except for her paternal Aunt, the Porter Matriarch, Mrs. Alma Ruth "Alice" (Leon) Dunmeyer, whom Ms. Gadsden admired with tender affection. Ms. Gadsden was the third child of ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Willie and Martha Green Porter: her brothers Odulphus Porter, Willie Lee "Dad" Porter, Allen Lee "Roger" Porter and Kenneth Porter preceded her in death; (also, a sister who was born prematurely after her brother "Dad"); finally, Mrs. Gadsden was preceded in death also by her beloved sister, Mrs. Inez Porter Myers. Ms. Gadsden attended the local public schools on Yonges Island, S.C. including Baptist Hill High School. She graduated from C.A. Brown High School in Charleston, S.C. in 1964, and married Mr. Arthur Lee Gadsden, Sr. from Edisto Island immediately following graduation. From their union, three children were born: Mr. Arthur Lee Gadsden, Jr., Ms. Leslie Annette Gadsden Stevenson and Mr. Eric Sherrod Gadsden. Mr. and Mrs. Gadsden reared their children in New York City, where Ms. Gadsden's career was in the field of Social Services, following a brief stint with the Federal Reserve Bank in Manhattan, New York. Her career, for almost thirty years, was with the Human Services Administration, Manhattan, N.Y. and Protective Services for Adults, Bronx, N.Y. She retired in 1995 and shortly thereafter relocated to her ancestral homeland on Yonges Island, S.C. For a few years in retirement, she enjoyed working with the Medical University Hospital Department of Oncology, Charleston, S.C.Ms. Gadsden enjoyed a long period of retirement which included serving in the church of her baptism, the church of her maternal family, St. Luke A.M.E. Church: singing in the choir, participating in the Women's Missionary Society, the Lay Organization of the Church. She was recently appointed as a "Class Leader". She especially enjoyed participating in the Church's African American women's religious society, The Viola A. Burgess Queen of Sheba Tent No. 218. This latter organization was represented by her mother in 1946 as Ms. Queen of Sheba while her mother was pregnant with Ms. Gadsden; her sister, Inez, continued the tradition also by serving in the organization. After several years in retirement, she became a dialysis patient. Nevertheless, she was very passionate about gardening in her yard. She loved reading, travelling and hosting family gatherings. She particularly delighted in her constantly growing family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and community of friends. Ms. Gadsden shall be sorely missed by her children, Mr. Arthur Lee (Sheryl) Gadsden, Jr, of Goose Creek, S.C., Ms. Leslie Annette Gadsden Stevenson of Marietta, GA, and Mr. Eric Sherrod (Yhacia Smalls) Gadsden of Macon, GA; her remaining brothers: Mr. Robert Lee (Shirley) Porter, of North Port, FL, the Reverend Dr. Ricky Porter of Dublin, GA and the Reverend Alexander (Dr. Terri) Porter of Charlotte, N.C. Also, brothers-in-law: Mr. Marion Gadsden, Mr.Keith Gadsden and Mr. Harold Myers and sisters-in-law: Ms. Freda Maybank, Ms. Doris Gadsden Major. Also, mourning Ms. Gadsden's passing, her grandchildren: Janae Gadsden, DeAndre Gadsden, Dominic Gadsden, Diamond Gadsden, Precious Gadsden, Darrien Gadsden, Dajion Gadsden, Arthur Lee Gadsden III, and Dontae Gadsden- the children of Arthur Lee Gadsden, Jr.; Roland Todd Stevenson, Jr. - the son of Leslie Gadsden Stevenson; Nakeda Erica Gadsden, Marquis Erik Gadsden, Sharicka Sherod Gadsden, Devon Jamal (Alexis) Gadsden, Leslie Annette Smith, Dvaughn Rashad Gadsden and Unique Ta'marge Gadsden-the children of Eric Sherrod Gadsden. Also, twelve (12) great- grandchildren and the Hollywood community, the St. Luke A.M.E. Church, a host of beloved friends, many adoring nieces, nephews, and affectionate cousins shall mourn her passing. THE VIEWING FOR MS. GADSDEN WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. TO 9:00 P.M. AT WALKER'S MORTUARY 3407 OLD POND ROAD, JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. 29455 (843) 559-0341. THE GRAVESITE SERVICE FOR MS. GADSDEN WILL BE CONDUCTED ON SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021-11:00 A.M. @ ST. LUKE A.M.E. CHURCH CEMETERY, 7308 MIZELL ROAD, HOLLYWOOD, S.C. THE REV. DR. HERBERT L. JENKINS, THE SERVANT PASTOR, ST. LUKE A.M.E. CHURCH, OFFICIATING. ARRANGEMENTS OF COMFORT BY WALKER'S MORTUARY "CHAPEL OF PEACE" 3407 OLD POND ROAD, JOHNS ISLAND, SC 29455. PHONE:(843)559-0341; FAX:(843)559-3415. WWW.WALKERSMORTUARY.COM Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston