Affectionately known to everyone as “Granny”…Lavon Williams, age 91, slipped peacefully from our loving hands into the arms of Jesus on Friday, November 11, 2011. Lavon was born in Ottawa, KS on January 22, 1920, to Fred and Nell Anderson-Brown. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Lawrence, Ks, where she graduated from Lawrence High School in 1937, raised a family, and lived most of her life.
In 1938, Lavon married Harry Herbert Hickock and they were blessed with 3 children; Harold, Elaine and John. Lavon was widowed after 41 years of marriage, but continued to enjoy camping with the Red Dale Campers Club, volunteering with L.I.N.K and tatting with the Tatting and Lace Guild in Lawrence.
Lavon found love for a second time in 1985, when she married Raymond Williams; however, after 10 years of marriage, she found herself widowed once again. Lavon filled her days visiting and caring for her elderly friends, making elaborate wedding and birthday cakes, assembling an ornate wooden doll house, volunteering at her church, West Side Presbyterian, and tending to her countless petunias.
At the age of 81, Lavon gave up driving and sold her home in Lawrence, opting to move to Kingsville, MO to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Bill Rogers. In 2008, they moved to Wellsville, KS, where she lived at the time of her passing. Lavon leaves behind her children, Harold and his wife, Anna Marie Hickock, Lecompton, KS, Elaine and her husband, Bill Rogers, Wellsville, KS, and John Hickock, Ottawa, KS. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren; Harlan Hickock, Largo, FL, Barb Wolf, Topeka, KS, Tamra Lucas, Edmond, OK, Bruce Rogers, Butler, MO, Anita Rogers, Wellsville, KS, Alan Rogers, Hutchinson, KS, Angela Wright, Olathe, KS, John Hickock, Lawrence, KS, Sharla Percival, Burlingame, KS, and Shaun Hickock, Lawrence, KS. She was lovingly known as Granny Great to her 28 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.
Lavon greeted everyone with a hug and always introduced herself as “Granny.” She loved life and referred to herself as a “recycled teenager.” There was never a doubt Gran enjoyed every day to the fullest, claiming she didn’t get to be old until she turned 90! We know Granny has touched the hearts of many, and pray her memory will serve as a reminder that every day is a precious gift!
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence on Friday, November 25th. Visitation: 10:00 A.M., Service: 11:00 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, family requests contributions be made to Olathe Medical Center Hospice.
Lavon was such a special lady and a special Granny to our daughter Chloe in Lawrence, KS, from 1995 to 2000. She never failed to go to Grandparents’ Day events with Chloe, and we are forever blessed by having been a part of her life. Chloe’s own grandparents were in SC and FL, unable to be there often during those years! We’ll miss Lavon, but we are glad she lived her life to its fullest for as long as she did!
OUR SYMPATHIES ON YOUR LOSS. WE KNOW SHE WILL BE IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE. WE KNOW THAT SHE HAD A LARGE FAMILY TO LEAVE BEHIND, BUT THAT ALSO KNOW SHE WILL REST EASY NOW.
BOB & EVELYN