Lavina had a long and varied life. She was a real pioneer in many aspects. During her teen years she met and married Carl Pinkston and together they had two daughters, Joyce and Shirley. In 1938, they moved to California and settled on the Westside of Fresno County. They operated a grocery store which Lavina continued to run even after they divorced.
She later met and married Joe Navarrette. They were devoted to each other and he loved her daughters as his own. Together they enjoyed entertaining their family and friends, many hobbies and traveling. They were married for 50 years. Lavina and Joe lived in several valley towns and eventually settled in Fresno. Lavina had various jobs over the years from running their own business, to working in retail and also working in food service. She was always a hard worker and believed in doing any job with excellence.
Lavina was a woman of faith, a wonderful mother and a loving “Grambur” to her grandkids. She was an example of courage, perseverance and grace in facing life’s adversities and had a gift of hospitality and generosity for all who visited her. She was loved so much and will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Willa May, Jo Ella, Clytell, Clara Jean, Grace Alee, and brother, James, husband Carl Pinkston, and husband Joe Navarrette, daughter Shirley and grandson Michael.
She is survived by her daughter Joyce, her grandchildren, Michele, Kelly, Karen, Lisa, Nicolette, Sheila, Nick and Jacob, 17 great grandchildren and 36 great-great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Monday, April 16, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Agnes Mission Church on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to Hinds Hospice, 2490 W. Shaw Avenue, Suite 101, Fresno CA 93711
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