Funeral: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 10:00am
Eulogy: Once When We Were Colored
by: Rev. William Watley, PhD
"And the king said to his servants, ‘Do you not know that a prince and
a great man has fallen this day in Israel?" 2Sam 3:38
Obituary
Soldier in the army of the Lord, servant to all of mankind, devoted husband, loving and wise father, grandfather, great grandfather, physician, extraordinary civic leader, minister of the whole gospel, and friend to all, Dr. Edward Walter Verner has left us in body but will remain with us always in spirit.
In a recent interview, Dr. Verner stated: “You deal with patients not only as physical beings, but also with the ethical, moral and spiritual aspects of his or her illness." It is not surprising that a man, who was empowered by the spirit of God at an early age, would have supreme empathy for his medical patients and would treat their ills
holistically. He decided to follow the dictates of his faith very early on. He remained obedient and true to his God until he joined Him in heaven on Thursday, October 18, 2007.
Dr. Verner was born in Waycross, Georgia on April 12, l9l9 to Estelle Jenkins Verner and Dr. Edward Walter Verner Sr. His mother died in childbirth leaving the newborn Edward motherless. God did take care of him in the form of Mamie (Momma) White, the woman who raised him. Momma White although an illiterate offspring of a union soldier and newly emancipated slave, completely devoted her life to Edward and gave him the
best possible foundation that prepared him for the exemplary life that was his. Thinking him too thin and frail, Momma White dedicated herself to "building him up" and everyday during school recess she would walk to the school yard and bring young Edward a biscuit to the playground. This loving gesture from this humble woman helped to instill in him a lifelong spirit of compassion. It was also the catalyst of his healthy
appetite and love of food that lasted until his last days.
Dr. Verner came from a strong religious background which included his maternal grandfather who was a bishop in the CME church. As a teenager he joined and later became a youth officer at St. Phillip AME church in Savannah, Georgia.
Dr. Verner's father was a l9l0 graduate of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee and a practicing physician in Savannah, Georgia. Edward Jr. would accompany his father during home visits to patients. He often told the story from his childhood about a Savannah neighborhood woman who was one of his father's patients. She suffered from breast cancer and at the time there was no effective intervention for this disease. In recounting the story tears came to his eyes. Although he did not directly relate this story to his interest in breast surgery, clearly this influenced his life's work.
Dr. Venner's exposure to New Jersey began as a student when he would work summers at the New Jersey shore. He first became acquainted with Ocean City, New Jersey through a family friend. This began a nine year association with Ocean City. So dedicated was he to his work, that he missed his high school graduation and the opportunity to enjoy the glory of being the Valedictorian of Beech High School in Georgia. Nonetheless his years spent at the Jersey Shore later ignited his love for New Jersey and led to his desire to eventually relocate.
Although anxious to attend Morehouse, he followed the wishes of his father and spent two years at a local college. His father finally relented and the young Edward was allowed to transfer to Morehouse College where he graduated Cum Laude in 1940. In 1944 he graduated from Meharry Medical College. His internship and residency was completed at Hubbard Hospital in Nashville TN. During his surgical training he was required to do a surgical rotation at Taborian hospital in Mount Bayou, Mississippi. Mound Bayou is a historically Black town founded by freed slaves. Taborian hospital was founded by P.M. Smith a man who was later to become Dr. Verner's father-in-law. Astute Smith family members introduced Zeraline, a beautiful young teacher to Dr.
Verner. In 1948, they were married. As an only child one of his greatest desires was to have a large family and God blessed him with seven children.
After completing his training at Hubbard Hospital, he was selected for a Damon Runyon Cancer Fellowship at Columbia University in New York City. It was there that he studied under the world renowned Breast Disease specialist, Dr. C. D. Haagensen. Haagensen wrote what was then the definitive textbook on diseases of the breast. It was this exposure that kindled Dr. Verner's interest in diseases of the breast.
Dr. Verner served in the United States Air Force from 1952- 1954 at the rank of Captain. He was the chief of the surgical department at George Air Force Base in Victorville, California. He received special commendation upon discharge for his willingness to perform whatever duties were assigned to him. Never content to do "Just his job," Dr. Verner took it upon himself to start a health lecture series for wives of service men. He was particularly concerned about the detrimental effects of cigarette smoke.
Dr. Verner's love of New Jersey eventually brought him and his wife and four young children to East Orange. In 1955 he began his long and prolific practice of medicine in Newark, New Jersey. Shortly after his arrival in New Jersey, he met Irvine Turner who introduced him to a pivotal figure in his life, Rev. R.P. Means, then the
pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Newark and Essex County Freeholder.
Dr. Verner started as a general practitioner in Newark's Central Ward and eventually specialized in Diseases of the Breast. His children fondly remember making house calls with him and tell many stories of the lectures they received during these excursions. Dr. Verner felt that it was important for his children to understand how his patients lived. As part of his children's life lessons, he stressed service and responsibility to the community. By this time his family of four had grown to a family of seven children. All of his children and many of his grandchildren were required to work at his private practice in Newark.
His hospital practice was primarily at United Hospitals in Newark where he was Presbyterian Unit Chief in the Department of Surgery from 1984-1987 and Chief of Staff from 1987-1989. He also was on the staff of Clara Mass Hospital, Belleville, NJ, and St. Michaels Medical Center in Newark, NJ. He held a faculty position at UMDNJ in Newark NJ, served on the board of Trustees of Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
and at the time of his death was on the Board of Trustees at Columbus Hospital. Dr. Verner early on his dual call to medicine and the ministry. Although he chose medicine initially, as years went by, he found a way to accept the call to the ministry as well. He studied at Drew Theological School and for many summers took
theology courses at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
Dr. Verner was ordained in the A.M.E. church and was the Senior Associate Pastor at St. James A.M.E. Church in Newark, New Jersey. Dr. Verner recognized the power and the responsibility of the Black church to improve the lives of the entire community. This led him to found two major Ministerial organizations. The Newark North Jersey Committee of Black Churchman and the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey. In founding the organizations he said, "The voice of the Black Community is articulated through the Black Church and I dare anyone to try and deny it." There is no significant issue in the Black community which is not directly interrelated or influenced by the Black Church. Dr. Verner was a visionary who believed that the united power of the clergy could have a positive impact on all aspects of life including voter registration, education, employment, housing, and substance abuse programs. Dr. Verner served as the Executive Director of the United Black Interdenominational Clergy of New Jersey in 1998, and received numerous appointments by New Jersey Governors. He was also the Health Director for New Jersey Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Dr. Verner was instrumental in creating opportunities for dialog after the Newark 1967 riots sewing as advisor to Governor Hughes and future governor Thomas Kean. For many years he served as President of the South Orange Civic Association. Always active in politics and civic affairs, his family recounts that he would often take early morning trains to Washington, DC to meet with elected officials for breakfast and discuss what was
on his mind and return to his Newark office to hold afternoon office hours.
Among his many awards, Dr. Verner received the Annual Essex County Medical Society DELTA Award for outstanding community service. In addition he was an active member: Essex County Medical Society, Past President of the North Jersey Medical Society, American Medical Association, National Medical Association, and the New York Metropolitan Breast Cancer Group, Inc. and Past President of the North Jersey Medical
Society.
Due to his concern for poor people's lack of access to medical care, Dr. Verner founded Interfaith Health Service Inc. in 1994. This organization provided free health Screenings at local churches and community events. He partnered with local hospitals to provide services to those whose screenings indicated medical risk. Dr. Verner spent muchof his career focusing on diseases of the breast. Particularly forms of breast cancer that
impact African-American women. Consequently, Interfaith emphasized education, early intervention and screening for breast disease. D r. Verner was an advocate of breast-self examination and mammography. Dr. Verner continued to provide these services well into the eighth decade of his life. On warm summer days he could be found setting up shop on the busy street corners in downtown Newark to offer free blood pressure screenings, educational material, and provide referrals when needed.
A true renaissance man, Dr. Verner was an author publishing numerous articles concerning health care as well as social and religious issues. He was also a playwright and several of his works were performed. He loved sports - boxing and football were among his favorites. As an avid gardener he was known to rise before daybreak to nurture his promising vegetable garden.
A man of endless energy and varied interests, his children and grandchildren never felt neglected. They were his true treasure. He was home for dinner every night and insisted that everyone participate in dinner conversation and family devotion. Meal time was also enjoyable because of the retelling of humorous and light-hearted experiences. Although the outside world saw Dr. Verner the physician and clergyman, his kids saw him as
"daddy" who was a disciplinarian but who could also erupt in laughter at the silliest television program.
Dr. Verner worked hard to insure the success of all his children. His oldest daughter Estelle, is an ordained minister who is currently serving as chaplain at the Edna Mahan Correctional facility; Edwina is a practicing pediatrician and the director of pediatrics at the Newark Community Health Center; Gwen is an artist and teacher in the Newark public school district; Marilyn is a special education teacher; Edward Jr. is a design
consultant; Patrice is the Director of Medical Services at New Jersey Transit and a licensed mental health counselor; and Beth is the Associate Director of Information Technology at Essex County College.
Seven children survive Dr. Verner, in addition to his devoted wife of 58 years, Zeraline; Estelle, Edwina" Gwen, Marilyn (Dan), Edward Jr., Patrice, and Elizabeth (Ronald); son in laws Dan Powell and Ronald Barkley; grandchildren Sufi, Nyota, Abunuwas, Keith Asa, Nathan, Andrew and Ronald; great-grandchildren Malachi, Najma Elijah, Noah and Emmanuel. Dr. Verner also leaves many extended family members who consider
him father, grandfather, friend and mentor second to none.
Dr. Verner made the following speech to a reunion of the 1936 class of Beach High School at the 50th reunion:
We have fought a good fight. We have finished the course. We have kept the FAITH!!! Although our work is unfinished, as inevitably must be, as we hand over the torch of life to the generation which will succeed us…we leave a legacy…a will…a testament…We bequeath to them:
~Our dreams, our ideals, our aspirations which we did not fulfill, but which we hope they will bring completion.
~Our love for life and the fruits of the spirit…love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
~Our hope, that they will live in a society in which persons will be judged by the content of their characters rather than the by the color of their skin
~Our trust that they will continue to be intergraded into the mainstream of American life and will eventually in a drug and relatively crime free society
~Our advice that as a minority race in this country that they will have to do a job twice as good to receive half the credit
~Our encouragement and our patience to run to the goal which is set before them
~And lastly our prayers that they will live holy and righteous lives acceptable unto God.
Well, what is left for us??? We are in the evening of our years as the evening shadows approach we won’t have the opportunity of making any more attachments as we did during our high school years. But thank God for memory the thread which binds life together!!!
One of the most precious possessions of mankind is the knowledge and remembrance of the past…
We do have the beautiful memories of earlier years to cherish!!! The recollection of which is almost like living the life again…
The uniqueness of early friendships which is so lasting an experience…
The brotherly and sisterly love which lives on for us to remember…
Bless be the ties which binds…May God bless you and keep you until we meet here again or on yonder shore…
Donations can be made in the memory of Dr. Edward Verner to:
2 Princess Rd.
Suite D
Lawrenceville, N.J., 08648.