LaVonne H. Watterson

March 22, 1926 - July 9, 2016

LaVonne Watterson passed away in the care of Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee on Saturday, June 9, 2016. Adored by her family, LaVonne will be remembered for her loving, gentle, quiet and sweet personality that brought kindness to all that met and knew her. An extravagantly beautiful person who was guided by her faith in God and her trust in His care. Born to Pauline (Foster) and Garth Hopper on March 22, 1926 in Dennis, Kansas, LaVonne lived throughout Kansas, Missouri and Iowa during her childhood years. Called ‘Bonnie’ affectionately by her father, she was an only child that loved learning, reading and her Midwestern upbringing, which included farm animals. As a little girl in grade school, she rode her pony two and a half miles to and from school in Elmo, Missouri. LaVonne spent her middle and high school years in Lawrence, Kansas, where she graduated from Lawrence Memorial High and subsequently attended classes at the University of Kansas as an English and journalism student. She then moved to Kansas City where she modeled, landed her first career job, and soon met her future husband, Francis Watterson of Boston. The couple lived in Anchorage, Alaska during her husband’s Air Force Reserve duty, then St. Louis before permanently moving to Miami where her husband served as a senior diplomat in the U.S. State Department. LaVonne excelled in the role of hosting international dignitaries at dinners during her husband’s tenure. They raised two children and a proud dachshund. In 1983 she moved to Tallahassee and continued her career as a legal and administrative assistant in the real estate industry. A very creative and artistic person, LaVonne’s baking and cooking skills were award winning. She also sewed, quilted, and cross-stitched in her spare time, while also enjoying travels with her family to Seaside and South Florida. Her life was one of love, devotion, and kindness to her family, friends, neighbors and church. She was active in Wildwood Church, always looking for opportunities to serve by helping and encouraging others, offering a listening ear and a warm smile to her many friends. LaVonne was predeceased by her husband Francis Xavier Watterson; her father Garth Hopper; her mother Pauline Hopper; and her daughter Marybeth Watterson Sterrett. She is survived by her son, Gregory Garth Watterson of Tallahassee. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, June 16th at Wildwood Church, 100 Ox Bottom Road. Burial will follow at MeadowWood Memorial Park on Timberlane Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Big Bend Hospice or to Wildwood Church. Lifesong Funeral & Cremation Services (850.627.1111) is assisting with arrangements.