Lavonia was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, James Allen Whitaker; sister, Helen, brothers Lamar and Gene; two daughters, Sarah Whitaker Pearson and Linda Whitaker Stansell; and one grandson, Adam Wade Davis.
She was a faithful member of Northside Baptist Church and the Glory Group of Columbus, GA for more than 60 years and later St. Andrew Baptist Church of St. Andrew’s, FL before her death. Lavonia was also actively involved with the Columbus Academy of Lifelong Learning (C.A.L.L.) group playing card games, travelling and line dancing,
Lavonia is survived by daughter, Pamela Whitaker Siegel (Frank) of Panama City Beach, FL; grandchildren Kimberly Davis Foster (David) of Columbus, GA, Phillip “Bubba” Allen Davis (Cathy) of Winter Haven, FL, Amy Pearson Chan (Nate) of Atlanta, GA, Larry Nathan Pearson (Mary Megan) of Suwanee, GA, David Sanders Patrick (Natalie) of Panama City Beach, FL, and John Thomas Patrick (Liana) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; She also leaves 13 dearly-loved great-children and numerous friends who will sadly miss her.
She was born March 19, 1928 in Echo, AL. At age of 19, Lavonia and husband, James, moved to Columbus, GA, where they lived on Alice Drive for more than 43 years. While in Columbus, Lavonia dedicated 35 years of civil service to Fort Benning. She enjoyed cooking her famous many-layered chocolate cake, sewing, playing cards, solving crossword puzzles and watching Atlanta Braves baseball games.
Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, January 24, 2019, at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, with Brother Jerry Spear officiating. Burial will follow in the Park Hill Cemetery. Visitation is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 23, 2019.
Lavonia’s family will serve as pallbearers; Frank Siegel, Bubba Davis, Nathan Pearson, David Patrick, John Patrick and Grady Flowers. Fond memories and condolences may be left for the Whitaker family at www.SHColumbus.com
