Lavon Adele James, 69, a former resident of Fort Scott, and more recently of Pittsburg, died Saturday, June 25, 2016, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo.
She was born Feb. 24, 1947, in Moran, the daughter of Carrel William Baker and Etta Marie Ard Baker. Lavon graduated from Elsmore High School with the Class of 1965. She married Ira E. James, Jr. in 1966. They later divorced. In earlier years, Lavon had worked for Key Work Clothes, Southwestern Bell and Abba Electric. She was a member of the Life Point Assembly of God Church. Lavon received her ministerial license and had performed wedding ceremonies and assisted with the jail ministry. She also volunteered as a Mercy Hospital chaplain and helped with the Pittsburg Soup Kitchen. She enjoyed embroidery, crocheting and gardening.
Survivors include her two children, Darren James and wife Bri, Wichita, and Suzanne James, Pittsburg; three grandchildren, Alayzia, Atira and Aqua Traffas. Also surviving are three brothers, Don Baker and Carney Baker, both of Wichita, and David Baker, Smyrna, Tenn.; two sisters, Rosie Freeman, Humboldt, and Kathy Ramsey, Colony; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Anita Dyanne James, and her parents.
Pastor Steve Bell will conduct funeral services at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in Moran Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lavon James Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347 Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
