Lavonda J. Blevins

Lavonda J. Blevins, 55, died Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Bucyrus Community Hospital after a long fight with illness, with all her children by her side.

She was born August 21, 1967 in Billings, Montana to the late Jesse F. and Carol L. (Chambers) Cooley. After the untimely death of her father, Lavonda was raised in a Catholic orphanage in Helena and attended Helena High School. She later moved to Missouri before making her way to Ohio with her young daughters and settling in Bucyrus.

Lavonda marched to the beat of her own drum. Though life dealt her a terrible hand, her infectious laugh and contagious sense of humor helped her make the best of every situation. No one else will be able to deliver a simple “Ha!” like Lavonda. She will be remembered as a crazy and free spirit who took comfort in peanut butter milkshakes and loved washing down junk food with a cold Pepsi. Anyone, especially the down and out, were welcomed into Lavonda’s life and treated like family. Her elaborate stories were memorable, and her retail therapy shopping trips were epic.

Lavonda is survived by children, Kristi Michelle (James) Copus, Rachael Lynn (Nicholas) Nolen, Tosha (Rian) Greene, and Brian Caldwell; grandchildren, Tyler, Adam, Nicholas, Issac, Owen, Jessica, Payton, Brandon, Matthew, Aaliyah, Jeremiah, Chance, and Arian; and sister, Gloria (Jack) Williams. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sister, Judy Basiak.

Services for Lavonda will take place on Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Family asks everyone who can to wear their favorite shade of yellow, Lavonda’s favorite color. They will receive friends from 2-3:55 pm and her service will begin at 4:00 pm where her daughters hope those gathered will share a favorite Lavonda story.

Donations to help with expenses are appreciated and can be made payable to Wise Funeral Service. Memories and photos can be shared on Lavonda’s Tribute Wall.