Verna Roslyn Pointer, 95, passed away on Saturday, July 14 at the Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, where she resided for the past several years.
Born Dec. 16, 1916, in Pine Bluff, Ark. Pointer was the first child of Fred and Bertha (Mack) Pointer. She attended school in Pine Bluff before moving to Harlem, where she enrolled in Armanello Beauty Culture School.
In 1943, she began work in the jewelry field, where she remained for 28 years. Pointer was the first African-American woman assistant manager of the Tappins Jewelers chain store on 125th Street in New York City.
On Dec. 2, 1951, Pointer married Willard C. Fudge and bore him a son, Willard C. Fudge Jr. In 1957, Pointer and her husband divorced. She then moved to the Bronx, where she was an active member of the NAACP and was very involved in local politics. Pointer served as the secretary on the Welfare Board of Harlem Labor Union and was a long-time executive board member. On Jan. 25, 1966, she was elected secretary of the Harlem Labor Union. She was the first newly elected secretary in 25 years.
Pointer spent the rest of her life loving, caring for and devoting her time to her son until his untimely death in 2005.
Pointer is survived by her two grandsons, Korey N. Fudge of New York City and Kenji N. Fudge of Columbia, S.C.
Pointer wished to share the following upon her death:
To My Grandsons, Korey N. and Kenji N. Fudge:
Though I am dead, my love for you lives on. When you need me, reach out for my love. It will always be there to protect and comfort you. There are no words in any dictionary that can express my love for you. All my love, Grandma.
At Pointer’s request, there will be no funeral service or calling hours.