Lavona Mae Coleman (Crabb)

LaVona Mae Coleman, 94, of Independence, MO passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2015. A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8th at Speaks Suburban Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9th at the chapel. Burial will be at Mound Grove Cemetery, Independence, MO.
LaVona was born May 13, 1920 in Spokane, WA as the oldest of four girls to Charles and Olive (Tomlinson) Crabb. They relocated to Independence in 1927. She graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1938 and on October 27, 1939 she married her beloved Sylvester Coleman. Together, they raised three children. They were devoted to the church. Sylvester was a full time minister in the Community of Christ Church and they dedicated many years to missionary work, moving their family from place to place. LaVona was a very talented artist, floral arranger, and accomplished pianist and organist. She often played for the church, and also taught piano. She was a leader for Orioles Girls Ministry, a Temple Ambassador, and supporter of Outreach International, and participant in Ikebana oriental flower arranging. LaVona is loved and will be missed by all who knew her.
She leaves behind her children, Sylvia Dennis (Dehryl “Tony”) of Boise, ID; Dennis Coleman (Jo) of Omaha, NE; Cindy Taylor (Don) of Independence, MO; grandchildren, Coby, Denelle, Kyle, Michael, Sean, and David; thirteen great grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred McClain of Oklahoma City, OK; and Donna Ochs of Blue Springs, MO; and sister-in-law, Elma Dean Stark of Independence, MO. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband; grandchild, Derrick Cline; and sister, Evelyn Schmidt. The family encourages contributions to Outreach International, in her memory. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)