Guiann B. Sears

Guiann B. Sears, 89, went home to the Lord on October 28, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband William A. “Bill” Sears, her daughter Belinda Lavergne, her parents Gaetano “Guy” Benelli and Bertha Bingham Benelli, and her sisters Fanie Stone and Sarah Jackson. Guiann’s father was an Italian immigrant who came to the United States of America through Ellis Island in 1912.

Guiann was born in Somerset, Kentucky where she grew up and graduated from Somerset High School. During these years, Guiann enjoyed reading, playing the piano and singing. She attended the Baptist church with her family and sang in the church choir.

Guiann fell in love with the love of her life in high school. Bill passed her a note in class asking her to the prom. She said yes and so it began. They were destined for a lifetime of love and happiness. Guiann married Bill in August of 1954. They began their marriage in Lexington, Kentucky where Bill attended the University of Kentucky. Guiann worked at a radio station until Belinda, her first child was born. They went on to have three more daughters; Sheryl, Karen and Laura. As Bill’s career progressed, they moved many times. Guiann set up 19 homes, all demonstrating her passion and flair for interior design making each home beautiful and comfortable for her family. Bill and Guiann lived in Kentucky, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, California, Connecticut, Colorado and London, England.

Guiann and Bill were active members of the Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school. She was a Girl Scout alum and had her four daughters in Scouts while serving as a District Manager. Guiann and Bill participated in many bridge groups thoughout the years enjoying their many wins as a competitive duo. They loved traveling together to many places around the world with Italy, Hong Kong and Ireland being their favorites. Being from Kentucky, they also had a lot of fun attending horse races, including the Kentucky Derby.

Guiann was a beautiful woman! She was known for her fabulous fashion sense, receiving compliments wherever she went. A day out with her girls at the mall was one of her favorite things to do. Guiann was a superb cook and decorator. She planned many large events, cooking and entertaining for charity, business, friends and family. She loved Christmas. Her home would be decorated like it came out of a magazine, and she would bake enough cookies to feed her large family and many more! Each person was sure to have their favorites included.

Guiann was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Bill and Guiann had a true love story. She adored Bill and was a beautiful example of how to love and respect your husband. She also loved her four daughters, their children and their children’s children. She is survived and dearly loved by three daughters, Sheryl Swiggett, Karen Braley, and Laura Wilcox; two son-in-laws, Monte Wilcox and Gary Lavergne; eight grandchildren, Sarah Ortiz, Natalie Rigney, Marjorie Owens, Jenny Graham, Morgan Wolfe, Billy Swiggett, Monte Wilcox, and Elizabeth Failing; three grandson-in-laws, Kevin Graham, Landon Wolfe, and Chase Failing; eleven great grandchildren, William Churchill, Luke Churchill, Avery Graham, Scarlet Ortiz, Landon Graham, Sophie Ortiz, Jordan Graham, Marshall Wolfe, Lane Wolfe, Emily Failing, and Rebecca Failing; niece, Vicki Goode and nephew, Harry Lee Connelly.

Guiann was the matriarch of her family; a strong loving mother that was the center of the family; the person you could always count on for unconditional support, understanding and above all love. We will forever miss her companionship, amazing grace, wit, impeccable style and her kind heart.