The funeral services celebrating the life of LaVonna Mae (Ballard) Meharg, 81, of Enid will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday August 19, 2016 in the Brown-Cummings Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Al McVety officiating. Burial will follow in the Chapel Hill Cemetery in Oklahoma City. Services are under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.
LaVonna was born October 27, 1934 in Oklahoma City, the daughter of Donovan and Loretta (Fields) Ballard and passed away August 15, 2016 in Enid. She grew up with an identical twin sister, LaDonna Lass. She followed wherever “Sissy” led until their mother told them, “If you two don’t stop running off, the big horse is going to stomp on you.” That instilled a lifelong fear of horses in the twins. No one could tell the twins apart, not even their mother. She marked their feet with tape. They were allergic to the adhesive in the tape, so they made bracelets out of ribbon for their ankles and wrists. Many teachers could not tell them apart which frustrated the teachers because the twins would trade places with each other. They even took each other’s tests. They have a special bond even to this day!
She attended Putnam Heights Grade School, Harding Junior High School and graduated in 1952 from Central High School in Oklahoma City. She won an award for penmanship in 2nd grade and started writing poetry in grade school. She played the violin in the orchestra at Harding Junior High. Her violin was a model Stradivarius Rosewood. One of the cutest stories her Dad loved to tell was that he enjoyed playing poker with family members on weekends. One September night, his brother Jack walked in and said I’ve got you beat tonight. Ann, his wife, just gave birth to a pair of twin sons so I have a pair of Jacks. Well six weeks later, LaVonna’s Dad walked in and said Loretta just gave birth to a pair of twin girls so I’ve got you beat because I have a pair of Queens! LaVonna grew up next door to her grandmother who had gone to Bible College and answered all of her questions. She adored her grandmother. Her favorite cousin was James Fields who grew up in Oklahoma City with her. When those two got together, it was all laughter.
In 1953, she married the love of her life, Gene Meharg, at her parent’s home. She loved all the places he moved her to. LaVonna and Gene came to Enid in 1974 because Gene was transferred by IBM. LaVonna was a devoted wife and mother. She taught Sunday School and Bible Studies for many years. She was the Director of WMU (Women’s Missionary Union) for many years. She filled countless shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Her love of the Lord was very evident in all she did. She was an active volunteer in her church, schools and the St. Mary’s Hospital. She worked in PTA (Parent Teacher Association) for many years. She is a lifetime member of Putnam City PTA Council having served as President. She was on the state PTA Board for several years, serving as Northwest Regional Vice-President and a member of the Family of Education Study at O.S.U. She was a Bluebird and Camp Fire leader and helped with Boy Scouts. She was a member of the P.E.O., Chapter DB, serving as President in 2001-2002. She helped start a new P.E.O. chapter (Chapter GP). LaVonna served many years in Christian Women’s Club. Also serving as President and Area Representative. She served on the Lyric Theater Board in Oklahoma City. After her three children were older, LaVonna was hired as a teacher’s aide for Putnam City Schools in OKC. Dad called her a professional volunteer.
She worked for Allens’ Optical as a receptionist during high school. She worked for Rainbow Carpet Cleaning as a secretary in Enid. LaVonna worked for Mother’s Day Out at First Baptist Church in Enid for several years as a teacher and assistant director. She was employed by The Paint Shop and Carpet Showroom in Enid for several years as a salesperson and decorator.
LaVonna had many talents. Besides keeping her home lovely and being a great cook, she decorated cakes, knitted, tole painted, played golf and bridge. When Gene and LaVonna lived North, she learned to ice skate, go tobogganing and all about hockey. She was an avid armchair sports person all her life, especially when her beloved O.S.U. and O.U. football teams were playing.
LaVonna has many friends including some that date back to elementary school. Her friends say to know her is to love her.
LaVonna is survived by her loving husband Gene of the home; three children, Rene Long & husband Michael of Enid, Gina Childers & husband Michael of Enid and Dean Meharg & wife Kathy of Grand Island, NE. All three children are in the education field. They have 5 grandsons (The first two are identical twins.) Andrew Long, Matthew Long & wife Zane’a, Nathaniel Meharg & wife Heather, Seth Meharg & wife Sadie, Ethan Meharg & wife Kelsey; Great grandsons, Michael Long, Flynn Meharg and the future Oliver Meharg. She was extremely proud of each one of them and she loved to share stories about them with anyone who would listen. They affectionately called her “Mimi;” sister, LaDonna (Lou) Lass of Enid; sister-in-law, Phyllis Meharg of Borger, TX and numerous nieces and nephews. Her compassion and love will live on through all of us because of the example she set.
LaVonna was preceded in death by her parents, Don & Loretta Ballard.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church (Operation Christmas Child Fund) or the P.E.O. Oklahoma Cottey College Fund with Brown-Cummings serving as custodian of the funds.
Online condolences may be made online to the family at www.Brown-Cummings.com
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