The LaMercetts club of licensed practical nurses celebrated its 36th anniversary banquet last weekend.

The organization was formed in 1980, when the licensed practical nurses of the city saw that the registered nurses had a club of their own.

“The RNs had a club, and we said, ‘We need a club, too,’” said Barbara Artis, finance secretary of the club.

The club is open to any licensed practical nurse who works in Suffolk, Franklin, Portsmouth and Norfolk. Membership has dwindled over the years, Artis said, but new members are always welcome.

“We are trying to encourage some younger nurses to come in,” she said.

The club annually hosts a Christmas party, and members attend church together once a year. They also pay dues, out of which the club funds an annual scholarship for a student studying to be a licensed practical nurse. They also donate money to a couple of local health-related organizations.

The speaker at Saturday’s event was the Rev. Janice White, a nurse known locally for being the supervisor of health services for Suffolk Public Schools.

The event, held at East Suffolk Recreation Center, also included dinner and special music.

Current members of the club are Barbara Artis, Florine Cooper, Mary Davis, Nell Johnson, Flossie Hall, Mamie Kindred, Joyce Stagg, Vivian Turner and Betty Whitney.

Former members are Evelyn Blount, Yvonne Green, Elizabeth Johnson, Elsie Moody, Janice Parker, Kathy Odom Stark and Evelyn Walker.

Deceased members are Alma Boone, Catherine Cooper, Sophia Walden Harris, Francis Powell, Mary Outlaw and Bessie Watson.