Verdi was born in Corinth, Mississippi September 1, 1931. She was an only child born to the union of John Walter Phillips and Catherine Baker. She later moved to East St. Louis, Illinois at the age of eight. She graduated from Lincoln High School and attended the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff majoring in Sociology. While in college she pledged and joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Upon graduation she worked briefly in Chicago, Illinois working for the Girl Scouts of America at their headquarters. When the company moved to NY she returned home obtaining an elementary teaching job. On June 26, 1957 she married her husband, Leo J. Triplett of 52 yrs. The marriage produced 2 daughters, Robin Rochelle Triplett Persaud and Dawn Candice Triplett Essien.

She was a warm, loving, mother and grandmother, dedicated to her family, and an excellent teacher for 31 years. Her philosophy of life was the Golden Rule to treat other people with the concern and kindness you would like them to show toward you. Her hobbies were reading novels, going to movies, watching detective shows on television like Perry Mason, Law & Order Marathons, Barnaby Jones, and Murder She Wrote. Her favorite movie was The Sound Of Music. She loved watching basketball games. She also enjoyed driving and perusing beautiful homes.

She confessed Christ at an early age, taught Sunday School, played the piano, and was active on numerous committees.

Verdi left this life August 26, 2022 after a lengthy illness. She is survived by her 2 daughters Robin and Dawn, 2 grandchildren Ramesh Mikhail Persaud and Kennedi Essien, 2 bonus daughters Cousin Ophelia Walker, and Denice Williams, and one sister-in-law Amanda Jones.