Verdis Bright

Verdis Louise Bright was born May 4, 1929, in East Chicago, Indiana, to Solomon McCaskill and Zelma McCaskill. The first of two children, her brother, Herbert McCaskill, preceded her in death.

Verdis grew up in various communities in Indiana and Chicago, but mostly considered Chicago’s West Side the place where she set down roots. She graduated from Riis Elementary School and later attended Cregier High School. 

Verdis married Robert Bright, and to that union three children were born: Darryl, Linda, and Michael Bright. She was an involved parent in her children’s school years. Active in the PTA, Verdis could be counted on to help with the school “Lunch Sales”, or to make a dish for their classroom when needed. Her children were always ready for scout meetings and other extra-curricular activities. She was ever the gracious hostess to her children’s club meetings and when they had friends gather at the house. She was available to lend a helping hand with her children’s schoolwork, going over spelling lists, and listening to their speeches; always encouraging them “to try.” Her words would often come to mind when some academic challenge seemed overwhelming: “Just do your best. Nobody can ask more of you than that.”

Not only was Verdis a wonderful stay-at-home mother, making lunch for her children and sometimes their friends, she was a trusted childcare provider in the communities where she resided. She helped many families, including her daughter’s, by providing care for her grandson, Nick, and other “Precious Cargo”; always, with open arms and a loving heart. Often, even in her later years, she was known to come alongside elders to lend them support, cooking meals and doing housework. She had a servant’s heart and was the hand they depended on in a time of need. She also held a position at the Maywood Public Library as an Assistant and worked in the Food Service Department at Triton College in 1975.  

During her retirement, Verdis became a self-taught, brilliantly “quick” observer of life, and quite a prolific poet at-heart, leaving a volume of poetry as part of her legacy to her family. She was also a lifelong reader enjoying biographies and history, and could arguably be considered somewhat of an “expert” on the lives of stars during Hollywood’s Golden Age. If there was a question that would come up on the life of a star, the response would likely be, “I’ll bet Mama would know. I’ll ask her.” And, more than likely, she would. She was creative in arts and crafts, and in her own right, an artist making useful gifts such as bookmarks and folding fans out of everyday objects to give as gifts.  

Verdis’ favorite singer was Johnny Mathis, and she also counted Lou Rawls, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Billy Eckstine and Billie Holiday among her favorite vocal artists.

Verdis leaves to cherish, son Darryl (Joyce), daughter Linda (John), son Michael (Jacqueline), grandsons Nicholas and Darryl (Tiffany), great grandchildren Darryl Bright III and Cheyenne Zuri, and many loving family and friends. She will be lovingly remembered, deeply missed.

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