LaVonne Rogers

LaVonne May (Humphrey) Rogers passed away peacefully on May 1, 2021, at the age of 78, at the Ashley Care Center. LaVonne was born May 6, 1942, the daughter of Beulah (Richards) and Elmer Humphrey in New Haven Township, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating. Interment will be in Duplain Township Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 from 6-8 P.M. and Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the funeral home.

LaVonne married Earl Cecil Rogers on November 13, 1958 at the Strickland Baptist Church in Shepherd, MI. They lived in Alma, MI until moving to St. Johns in 1966 so that Earl could be closer to his work at GM in Lansing.

In 1984, LaVonne graduated from St. Johns High School along with her husband and son. LaVonne and Earl were Co-Valedictorians of the Adult Education Class.

In addition to being a homemaker for most of her life, LaVonne was an Avon lady, worked at Sears catalog center, and worked in the bakery at Andy's IGA in St. Johns. She also had a personal enjoyment of baking and decorating all types of cakes -- wedding, birthday, graduation, bridal and baby showers, Oldsmobile retirements, etc. Her family and friends loved her cakes. She took pride in her yard and all the beautiful flowers with iris and tulips being favorites. Her favorite hobbies were crocheting, baking, crafting and decorating for the holidays.

LaVonne joined TOPS in 2010 and was the Chapter Queen in 2011. She and Earl enjoyed TOPS and their TOPS friends for many years. They also enjoyed many trips with the UAW retirement group, went to many dances (she loved dancing), and played a lot of cards and bingo.

A special memory held by LaVonne's daughters and granddaughters was the 75th birthday party at Abiding in the Vine Tea Room. Everyone wore hats, another favorite of LaVonne, and enjoyed the special time with Mom and Grandma.

LaVonne was diagnosed with Dementia in 2011 and moved into Ashley Care Center in October 2017. The family is thankful for her Ashley Care Center Family and their devoted care.

LaVonne is survived by her husband, Earl Rogers, and their three children: Roxanne (Jeff) Burnham, Trisha (David) Hufnagel, and Darren (Tammie) Rogers. She also leaves grandchildren and great grandchildren: Zachary (Evamarie) Burnham, Vance and Jemma; Karly Burnham; Jameson (Pamarie) Hufnagel; Erickson Hufnagel; Holly (Jake) Smith, Henry and JoAnna; Alec Rogers; Sarah Witt, Veda, Tabitha, Rhiannon and Danny; Melissa (Ray) Garcia, Everett and Lily; Nikki (Luke) Ostrowski, Sophia, Iris, and Violet; and Rachel (Andy) Strodtman. She is also survived by her sister Bonna Jean Humphrey. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorials may be made to Beacon of Hope (401 S Swegles St St. Johns, MI 48879).  Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.