Since the pandemic began, churchgoers have mostly been joining virtual Sunday services via Zoom and Facebook Live. Naturally, many have staying in their pajamas or comfy workout clothes to watch. La Verne Ford Wimberly, however, has not been one of those people.
82-year-old Wimberly has been joining her fellow parishioners at Tulsa’s Metropolitan Baptist Church in Oklahoma in the most glamorous—and colorful—outfits.
Since last spring, the retired teacher has also been posting delightful selfies of her stylish looks on Facebook after each service.
“She never skips a beat with the hats, the clothes and all that beautiful jewelry,” said Robin Watkins, the church’s executive office assistant, to the Washington Post.
Wimberly explained her desire to dress well to the newspaper: “In the 20 years I’ve been going to church there, I’ve always had my little routine that I learned from my mother as a girl… I’d pick out a nice outfit and hat and lay it out the night before, so that I could be prepared and look presentable.”
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Being prepared, having routines—they can both be a way to root ourselves into small joys.
Here’s some of La Verne’s favorite looks from over the past year.
From pretty in pink…
To regal in blue…
La Verne reminds us of the joys of doing our best—
And giving the world a smile, no matter what.
DAZZLE Your Friends With This Joyful Story…
I love seeing ladies dressed up for church!
She looks beautiful! I am loving the hats!
I LOVE wearing hats and have for a long time. WHERE does Miss La Verne get her hats????
She is beautiful in so many ways. I grew up in the era when the women of the church wear hats, outfits to match, along with purses that matched shoes. Hats unfortunately are a lost art. When my elderly neighbor passed away, it was difficult even give them away.
This is also bittersweet in that my mother loved hats and everything that went along with it for Sunday services. When she passed away a few years back, we found hundreds of hats in every area of her small 1 bedroom house. In her honor all the females in the family and extended family could pick one hat to wear to her funeral and keep in her memory. It was such a beautiful site when the family walked in, because my mother was a long time member of the church, everyone knew we were representing her.
I’ll always remember that day.
Thank you!!