Elveta "Veta" La Cost Albano

Elveta “Veta” La Cost Albano, 95, passed away peacefully May 5, 2024. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, where she was a member. Veta was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on February 8, 1929. She lived in Dallas, Texas, and spent her summers soaking up the sun on the beaches of Galveston, TX. She joined the Air Force and attended Oklahoma State University. She and her late husband, Salvatore, met and married while serving at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Veta earned the rank of staff sergeant and served as the base commander’s secretary. After she and Sal completed their service, they moved to his hometown of Bedford, New York and raised their six children. In the mid-1970s, Sal’s work transfer took the family to Asheville, North Carolina and later to the Swannanoa Valley where they purchased land and raised a variety of farm animals including cows, horses, goats, geese, chickens, and numerous household pets. During her time in Swannanoa, Veta enjoyed her part time work in the Charles D. Owen High School cafeteria in which she formed many close relationships with both staff and students. In 2001, Veta and Sal moved to Kernersville to be closer to their grandchildren. Veta had a deep compassion for prayer, children, animals, the environment, and people in need. She loved playing golf with Sal and friends through the years. She loved books, art, and old movies. She had a passion for all sports, especially Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football. Veta always accepted a challenge to a round of Scrabble (especially with her nieces). Her most cherished times were being surrounded with family and friends reminiscing about the “Good Old Days”. She loved life. In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her son Curtis Gonzalez. Veta is survived by daughters, Jennifer Miller (Wayne) of Kernersville, and Debbie Dawicki of Kernersville; sons, Mario “Chip” Albano (Denise) of Hickory, Mark Albano (Linda) of Mount Washington, KY, and George Gonzalez of Flat Rock; grandchildren, Alyson Caruso (Jeff) and Matthew Miller; great-grandson, Luke Caruso; brother in-law, Peter Albano and wife Beverly of Bedford, NY; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. The family will visit with friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, May 24th at the Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Services Kernersville Chapel. At a later date, the ashes she leaves behind will join those left twelve years ago by Sal, her dearly beloved of 58 years, at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed in Veta’s name to The Shepherd’s Center of Kernersville, PO Box 2044, Kernersville, NC 27285. Friends and family may offer online condolences at www.piercejeffersonfh.com