Thelma LaVerne Britton Solomon, a beloved New Haven public schools employee for four decades and an active member of Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church, died last Wednesday at the age of 71. Funeral services are to be held Monday morning at Immanuel Baptist Church (calling hours 9 – 11 a.m.; service beginning at 11 a.m.). Following is the obituary from the program.
From birth to death it is the Master’s Plan as to what our lives will entail. The life of Thelma LaVerne Britton Solomon was one of accomplishment, humility, principle, love and honor. The quilt of her life and its patchwork are an interwoven embodiment of her zest and zeal for life. Today we celebrate and pay homage to the life she lived.
She was born in Brookneal, Virginia, on May 5, 1939, to the loving parentage of the late Robert J. and Thelma Britton, the fourth eldest of five children. She was quietly and peacefully removed from this earthly realm by our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at her home.
LaVerne, as she was affectionately called by many, began the quilting of her life in Virginia where she received her formative education. She graduated from William Campbell High School and moved to Maryland to matriculate at Maryland State University, a Historically Black College, now known as the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. She attained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. After moving to Connecticut, she sought to attain her Master’s degree and completed her requirements at Southern Connecticut State University. Additionally, she continued at Southern Connecticut and attained her Sixth Year Certification in Administration.
Her employment with the New Haven Public Schools began in 1961. This move allowed her educational thread to weave from Troup and Fair Haven Middle Schools to Richard C. Lee High School, where she held the position of Guidance Counselor in the South House. Students sought her out to be enriched by her love, caring and expertise. Her move to Hill Regional Career Magnet High School brought a change in her position to that of Assistant Principal of Guidance where she remained until her retirement in the year 2000. She helped thousands realize their potential, while they followed her guidance to be the best they could be. Her fondness and admiration extended to her colleagues, as well as the students. Her love and respect for all were absolutely mutual.
In the interim, her patchwork lay in the basket when she met the love of her life, Allen Solomon. They wed in 1971 and to that union were two beautiful daughters, Sharron and Sharnita, who made her life more joyous. A stepson, Emeth, added to the family growth and the patchwork was continually developed. As a loving and attentive mother, “Grandmotherhood” was in a whole new arena. The grands called her “MaMa” and enjoyed the unique relationship that is so very special between grandchildren and grandparents.
LaVerne had some time to pursue other interests and hobbies. She liked to sew, travel and kept abreast of world news and events by keeping a trained eye on C‑SPAN. An active member of Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church, she still kept her students in mind. To that end, she was active with the Scholarship Committee, always seeking to enhance the lives of her children. She was instrumental in the Women’s Sunday School Ministry.
Professionally, she was a member of the Connecticut Guidance Counselors Association, a charter member of the Delta Phi Chapter of The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. and was a member of the Secondary School Administrators Association. Her social and civic affiliations included membership in the New Haven Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and an active membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter . Additionally, she had attained the honor and status of a Golden Soror for her membership of more than fifty years in the sorority.
The legacy of this magnificent quilt speaks for itself! She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband, Allen; her beloved daughters, Sharron Solomon McCarthy (Jesse) of New Haven, CT and Sharnita Solomon of Hamden, CT; and her dear step-son, Emeth Solomon of New Haven, CT; her darling grandchildren, Tyler and Hunter McCarthy and Jahmal, Javon and Jaylin Solomon; her special nieces and nephews , Michelle and Tonia Petty; Eric and Lamont Petty, all of Washington, DC and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly. She is also survived by one aunt, Alese Chalmers Britton of South Boston, VA.
Having been pre-deceased by her doting parents, her brother Lawrence Britton and sisters, Pauline Petty and Sherwyn Britton, she had a circle of Angels who stood at the threshold to welcome her when the Master stretched His hand to her bedside and folded her quilt. She completed His work on this Earth and He called her home to rest with family, friends and all others who have marched to His Word and His Way to receive their just rewards.
She will be remembered. She was well-loved by many.
She really loved working with the kids, especially after her "retirement". She and I worked together on the tough kids...those were her favorites.
I wish we could have done it more this year.
Her presence will be missed.