LaVena (Bangert) Prewitt 1914-2007

LaVena Prewitt was born Feb. 23, 1914, in Camden County, Mo., the first child of James Oscar and Verna Opal (West) Bangert.

When she was still an infant they moved to Zebra, Mo., and later to Linn Creek, Mo., (now known as Old Linn Creek). In Linn Creek, LaVena met her future husband, Ottber 'Pete' Prewitt. Her birthplace, Zebra, and Old Linn Creek are all covered by the waters of Lake of the Ozarks. The family later moved to California, Mo., where LaVena graduated from high school.

On Feb. 14, 1932, LaVena and Pete eloped to Jefferson City, Mo. They moved to the new town of Camdenton, Mo., where Pete had built one of the first buildings. In January 1942, they and their two children, Karalene 'Kay' and James Keith 'Jim,' moved to Waynesville, Mo.

LaVena never missed any of the school activities her children were in and later went to many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's activities.

She worked in some of the many businesses she and Pete owned through the years and was a charter member of the Waynesville Business and Professional Women's Club, a charter member of the Democratic Women's Club and of Parkview Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church of St. Robert). After she retired, she moved her membership to Westside Baptist, which was closer to her home.

LaVena and Pete were married 60 years before he passed away Nov. 25, 1992. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Maxine; and three brothers, Athel, Keith and Averill.

LaVena went home to be with her Lord the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, in the Life Care Center of Waynesville at the age of 93 years, 5 months and 18 days.

LaVena is survived by one daughter: Karalene 'Kay' Lynch and her husband, Tom, of Waynesville; one son, Jim Prewitt and his wife, Jean, of Indian Wells, Calif.; two sisters, Ilene Ford and Lorene Emmerson, both of Columbia, Mo.; six grandchildren, Joe Lynch and his wife, Hannah, of Reston, Va.; Ann (Lynch) Jarrett and her husband, John, of Waynesville; Ken Lynch and his wife, Sharon, of Kingdom City, Mo.; Julie (Prewitt) Kramschester and her husband, Paul, of Lee's Summit, Mo.; Jill (Prewitt) Smull; and Janis (Prewitt) Auner and her husband, Tom; all of Springfield, Mo.; 13 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 18, in the Waynesville Memorial Chapel with Elder Joe Lynch officiating. Hannah Lynch played the prelude and soloist Mike Beattie sang 'On Eagle's Wings' and 'Church In The Wildwood.' Serving as escorts were Ken Lynch, John Jarrett, Paul Kramschester, Sean Lynch, Clinton Jarrett and Tom Auner.

Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Waynesville Memorial Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of LaVena Prewitt to the American Cancer Society and may be left at Waynesville Memorial Chapel.