Verna Lorraine Wharton

Verna Lorraine (Clem) Wharton, age 89, passed away peacefully May 20, 2008 in Snowflake, AZ. Verna was born April 27, 1919 in Tahoka, TX to the late James and Clara (McAden) Clem. She attended the San Pedro High School in San Pedro, CA where she was in the Honor Society and earned the American Legion Essay Award. Following High School Verna attended business school and went to work as a Business Manager for Artesia Hospital in Artesia, CA. She then went to work for Martin Luther Hospital in Anaheim, CA as an Assistant Administrator where she was the first to activate the computer records, which she traveled all over California for. At that time she received her degree in 1961 in Hospital Administration from Columbia University in New York. In 1940 Verna married the late Kenton F. Wharton who preceded her in death in 1994. Prior to his death they were avid deep-sea fishermen. Verna was a courageous and talented woman who was very close to her family. She loved Arabian Horses, which gave her the honor of riding in the Rose Parade eight times. She is survived by her daughter, Lorraine Wharton Pierce (Willie), as well as three grandchildren, Lisa Cathleen Pierce Berczel, Jerry Kenton Pierce and Susan Jean Pierce Davis. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Elton O'Conner Clem, Horace Weldon Clem and Marion Clem as well as a sister, Mildred Clem. Private services will be held.