NINETY-EIGHT YEARS, ELEVEN MONTHS, NINETEEN DAYS: A Memoir

By Vernon Devers and Elizabeth Ann Atkins

NINETY-EIGHT YEARS, ELEVEN MONTHS, NINETEEN DAYS is a memoir celebrating a life of legacy, love and strong family values.

Step into the heartwarming and inspiring tale of a man who l

• Language: English
• Publisher: Two Sisters Writing and Publishing LLC
• Release date: Aug 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9781956879360

Vernon Devers

ABOUT THE AUTHORVernon Jerome Devers born on October 28, 1952, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The last of six children born to Albany and Luella Devers, he was raised from infancy with Bible-based values and principles as his guiding light. He endeavored to be a good son and endeavors to be a good brother, good uncle, good husband, good dad, good granddad, good cousin and good friend.He resides in Okemos, Michigan with his wife of 48 years, Sheila Devers. Together they raised two responsible children. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University, he earned an Associate in Underwriting degree from the Insurance Institute of America. He then happily spent 36 years in service to Auto-Owners Insurance Company.

Book preview

NINETY-EIGHT YEARS ELEVEN MONTHS NINETEEN DAYS

Copyright © 2023 Vernon Devers

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission from the publisher, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

For information about this title or to order other books and/or electronic media, contact the publisher:

Two Sisters Writing & Publishing®

TwoSistersWriting.com

18530 Mack Avenue, Suite 166

Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236

ISBN 978-1-956879-34-6 (Hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-956879-35-3 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-956879-36-0 (eBook)

Printed in the United States of America

All the stories in this work are true.

Cover and Graphic Design: Illumination Graphics.

Author photos: The Devers Family Collection.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT VERNON DEVERS

"While reading Vernon’s chronology of his father’s life, Ninety-Eight Years, Eleven Months, Nineteen Days, I noted his description of ‘Dad.’ He provides an account of the life of the man who nurtured him and his siblings and provided for his family, his ‘Dad.’

There are many definitions and differences in defining a father versus a dad. A father can be anyone who sires a child, whereas a dad is the man who gives his love and strength to his family and provides guidance for their well-being.

Vernon shares memories growing up and how ‘Dad’ shaped his life and that of his brothers and sisters. ‘PAPA D’s’ love did not stop with his children. His life was full of stories from family members about ‘Uncle D,’ who shared his love through his actions and deeds with his siblings, children, and extended family helping them to grow and flourish.

Vernon captures significant notes during the life of his dad that will give others examples on how to be a ‘Dad.’ Every family should have a ‘Dad’ like ‘PAPA D.’ His character, faith, and wisdom gave his family a strong and lasting foundation.

For those who read Ninety-Eight Years, Eleven Months, Nineteen Days, you will find inspiration and guidance on family, devotion, and love through the life of Albany Devers."

— Henry L. Green, Hon. AIA

Former President, National Institute of Building Sciences

This book is a truly pleasurable read about a black family thriving in the South in the 20th century. It is a story about the strength and endurance of the family and its patriarch who through love, faith and resilience, weathered so many challenges and changes over an amazing century of life. It illustrates so beautifully how a family of modest means and limited opportunities from any race, creed or religion can flourish and grow by following the example of a life lived with courage, dignity and simple unshakeable values.

— Kathleen Lopilato, JD, CPCU

VICE PRESIDENT

HOME OFFICE LEGAL

Auto-Owners Insurance

This book is not only a tribute to a father’s life, but demonstrates how a Black patriarch leads and keeps his family intact during segregation in Louisiana with determination and faith. Many historical and life lessons can be learned by anyone who reads about D’s life. Highly recommend reading for all!

— Metodi Pogoncheff, D.D.S., P.C.

This book is dedicated to fathers and mothers, young

and old, to adults of all ages, to teenagers, to children,

to educators, and to all others who have the desire

to learn things from a wonderful Dad.

When first contacted by Vernon regarding his book project, I have to say I was surprised. Not because he actually did write his book, which yes, is a bit surprising—lots of people say they are going to write books and never do. But also because he did it so well, with so much feeling, it was a side of Vernon I really didn’t know, but was pleased to learn about while reading about his dad.

I had worked with Vernon for his entire career. I knew him to be quiet, yet conscientious. Thorough in his work, and good in what he did, but private about his personal life. I don’t ever recall him talking about his father or his feelings for him, or his family. So to share this story of the life of the man that I now see Vernon himself is so much alike, opened an inside story of someone I might have known after working together for 36 years. After reading the book, I got a closer look and a better understanding of Vernon, his work, his family and his life, and of course the influence behind Vernon’s own life.

Further intriguing me about his project was my own relationship with my father. Unlike Vernon’s father, my dad passed on far too soon. He’s been gone almost 50 years, departing due to cancer while I was a freshman in college. He was to me what D, or Uncle D was to Vernon and his family. He was my rock, my mentor, often my inspiration. Reading this book brought my own thoughts, memories, and stories of my dad, back to life for me. As I went through life, a thought I often shared was, I hope my dad would have been proud of me. I sense this same sentiment from the pages of this book, and readily say, Vernon, your dad would be very proud of you! It is obvious you were proud of him. I enjoyed the memories the book shared, the memories this book triggered, and am grateful for you sharing his, and your story.

— Jeffrey F. Harrold

Former Chairman and CEO, Auto-Owners

Insurance Company

What People Are Saying About Vernon Devers

Dedication

Foreword

Acknowledgments

A Special Thank You

Introduction

Chapter 1 – Family

Chapter 2 – Contentment

Chapter 3 – Work

Chapter 4 – Money

Photo Gallery

Chapter 5 – Trees

Chapter 6 – Quietly Proud

Chapter 7 – Silent Leader

Chapter 8 – Legacy

Chapter 9 – Saying I Love You

Conclusion

A Note from Sheila Devers

About the Author

End Notes

It is with great pleasure that I thank my wife Sheila for listening to me as I told her I would write this book. I thank her for proofreading my work and all of her support and love. My years of employment helped me discover and develop some writing skills, and for this, I am truly thankful.

I thank my brother, Albany S., for shining some light about his recall of our dad. He is Dad’s first son and I am Dad’s last son and child. Dad was wonderful to all of his children. I thank Albany for his valuable support as I worked on writing this book about our dad.

My first cousins, Laverne Flanagan, Charles Devers, Oscar Devers, and Josephine Brewster, spent more than 60 years of their lives with their dear Uncle D. Their comments about Dad are very