Nellie Ruth Lavender

Nellie lived in Chehalis most of her life. In 1953, she graduated high school at Toledo High School.

On May 25, 1956, Nellie married Johnnie W. Lavender, who passed away in 1991. She was a full time mother, raising her three children and even helped with the raising of many of her grandchildren.

Nellie was that person, who loved helping everyone. She had a love of gardening, flowers, raising cows, horses and cowboy boots. On Fridays, you would always find her

at the sale barn and on Sunday mornings, she would be at the New Beginning Church, in Chehalis. Nellie worked for over 30 years at Mary McCrank’s, as the head cook and hostess.

She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers; one sister; one daughter, Rhonda Lister; step-daughter, Jean Monahan; one grandson; and one great- granddaughter.

Nellie is survived by three children, Richard Lavender, Onalaska, Wash., Leslee Lowther, Centralia, Wash., and Patsy Strechfield, Spokane, Wash.; three sisters, Lila Robertson, Ocean Shores, Wash., Marian Cox and Helen Leard, Omak, Wash.; three brothers, Ted Smith, Moses Lake, Wash., Glen Smith, Soap Lake, Wash., and Winfrey Smith, Omak, Wash.; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside Service: Friday, Dec. 30, 2016 at 1 p.m. Claquato Cemetery in Chehalis, Wash. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Diabetes Association.