Obituary

Valerie accepted Christ as her personal savior at eleven years old. She was baptized at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Three years later, Valerie and her family united with New Providence Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of J.P. Strong. As a young adult she lead and directed the Youth Choir. Over the course of her thirty-one years as a member at New Providence she was Superintendent of the Sunday School, served on the Usher Board, and was a member of the Adult Choir. In 1996 Valerie united with Church of The Living God in Los Angeles. Valerie married Ronald Curtis Devers on May 12, 1973, and from that union they were blessed with three children: Kenyeta Shante', Chanelle Marte' and Travon Curtis. Valerie graduated from George Washington High in Los Angeles in 1969. She then attended Harbor Junior College and, because of her great love for children, she majored in Early Childhood Development. She was employed for many years at The University of Children and worked extensively with autistic children. Valerie went on to pursue a degree as a Paralegal and graduated with honors from EI Camino Community College in 1996. Prior to her health failing she was employed in the Aerospace industry. Valerie's favorite pastime was making corsages and beautiful silk floral arrangements. Valerie was the foundation in her children's lives. Her children often referred to her as their "Rock" and she always reminded them to "strive to achieve their goals". Valerie loved being with her family. Her family was top priority. She said; "Family heritage is very important to me as it conveys family values". Valerie was a devoted mother and it reflects in her children. Valerie leaves to cherish her precious memories her loving mother, Levester Hyter, Hawthorne, California; her father Lugene Henry and step-father Newlyn Hyter, both preceding her in death; daughters Kenyeta West, Phoenix, Arizona and Chanelle Jeffers, Los Angeles, California; son Travon Devers, Hawthorne, California; granddaughter Immonie Sawyer; brother Fredrick Henry, Hawthorne, California; sisters Brenda Hyter Smith, Inglewood, California and Yvonne "Mickey" Hacker, Carmichael, California; son-in-Iaws James West, Phoenix, Arizona and Lamont Jeffers, Los Angeles, California; aunts Odessa Sneed, Gibsland, Louisiana, Ethel Simpson, Los Angeles, California, Vernel Boone, Marlboro, Maryland, Merlene Jones and husband Onzie Jones, Houston, Texas, and Dorothy McLaughlin and husband Rev. Charlie McLaughlin, Gibsland, Louisiana; uncles Sanford Crawley, Lemon Grove, California, Dr. James Crawley and wife Sylvia Crawley, and a host of other relatives, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.