Emma Laverne Farmer of Swearengin died on December 18, 2025. She passed
peacefully in her home at the age of 93 with her daughter Cindy and dog Brownie by her
side. She is reunited in death with her husband John J. Farmer, son Gary Farmer,
brothers David Ledford and Carl Ledford, sisters Gladys Bond and Ruth Kennamer,
foster child James W. Smalley, and granddaughter Nicole Gaskin.
Known to her friends as Laverne, she spent her childhood in the Swearengin community
on Gunter Mountain. After her marriage to John Farmer, Laverne made many homes in
the U. S. and abroad, as the military took her growing family to Washington, Delaware,
South Carolina, Tripoli, and the Philippines. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Laverne,
John, and their three children returned to Swearengin, where John built the family home.
They spent many happy years there, caring for the land and everything on it.
She was an avid gardener and loved to share fresh fruits and vegetables with friends
and neighbors. She was never idle, and enjoyed sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting,
and making intricate cut paper art. Always a teacher, she shared these skills with her
children and grandchildren, who will forever hear her voice when they try to sew a
straight seam or lose their stitch count while knitting. She loved to be outdoors, working
or simply enjoying the woods around her home, and she passed that love onto her
family. She cherished visits with her great-grandchildren, whether taking them to the
best blackberry patches or helping them find hidden treasures under the fairy rock, she
showed them that there is beauty everywhere just waiting to be found. Her home was a
second home and safe haven to nieces, nephews, and grandchildren, and no one ever
left with empty arms or an empty stomach.
Many of her neighbors remember her as Mrs. Farmer. In her 30 years as a Social
Studies teacher at the DAR school, she had the privilege of teaching generations of
children about the diverse places and cultures that she loved so dearly. No matter how
old they were or what they grew up to be, her students were always her kids, and she
never forgot a single one of them. Laverne was the first in her family to earn a college
degree, and she went on to attain a Master’s and E.Ds. in elementary education. She
valued education and learning, and she instilled those values in her family and students.
Her patience and curiosity can be found in every one of her children, grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, and countless students.
For the past twenty years, she cared for James W. Smalley, who came to her family as
a foster child and remained with them until his death in February 2025. He was
preceded in death by his mother Maude Smalley, father Emmett Smalley, foster mother
Esther Ledford, and brothers Danny Joe Smalley and Russell Smalley. He is survived
by his brother Ricky Smalley, and his foster family. Thanks to the help and care of her
daughter, Laverne and James were able to spend their final years together in the
Farmer family home.
The family would like to thank the Swearengin Volunteer Fire
Department, Hospice of Alabama, Doctor White, Doctor Reed, and Doctor Hamidian,
and their office staff. Their care and friendship were invaluable and will not be forgotten.
Laverne is survived by her sister Josie Johnson, daughter Cindy Skinner, sons Joe
Farmer and Dewey Farmer, granddaughters Layla Niemann, Robin Burns, and Amelia
Skinner Saint, and great-grandchildren Kathryn Niemann, Liam Burns, Larken Saint,
and Warren Saint, and her dog Brownie.
The family will hold a private memorial in 2026. Laverne would ask that no one “waste
her trees” by sending cards or flowers but instead share their memories on her Life
Tribute page. Friends may make a donation in her honor to the KDS DAR School at
www.kdsdar.org/annual-fund.
