Lavonne Daffron Gibson Thomas Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Lavonne Daffron Gibson Thomas, 91, an Arkansas native, devoted mother of three, and retired Area Manager dedicated to serving the unemployed, died Monday, January 27th, 2020 in her home following a long illness. She was born February 9, 1928 to Fleming Campbell Gibson and Letha Odell Daffron in Flippin, Arkansas. She had two brothers, Clive Stanley Gibson and Fayne Carroll Gibson, and one sister, Sybil LaRue Gibson, all Arkansas natives. After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a B.A degree in Social Welfare in 1949, she met and married Sherwood Lindsay Thomas on May 12, 1950. They moved to Houston, Texas where they raised a son, David Alan, and two daughters, Sheri Lin and Claire Marie. Lavonne served as an Area Manager for the Texas Employment Commission for many years before retiring to Springdale, Arkansas in 2001. She loved reading, collecting beautiful objects of art, travelling, and the companionship of her friends and family. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, in Springdale, and met many of her friends through the Church. At the end of her life, she was content in her home with her much loved caregiver and friend of 8 years, Janie Ward, and her compassionate nighttime companion, Monika West. She loved her home and was happy to be able to pass her final years there. Lavonne was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, her daughter Claire, and her former husband Sherwood. She is survived by her son, David Thomas and his wife Carolyn, her daughter Sheri Lin Lamoureux and her husband, Craig, her two grandsons, Matthew Alan and Mark Russell Thomas, as well as their wives Christina and Laurel, and her three great grandchildren, Ellen May, Lillie Elizabeth, and Russell Charles Thomas. A celebration of life will be held at Carnell Hall on February 21, 2020 and internment will be at Flippin Cemetery on May 2, 2020. The family asks for donations to Alzheimer’s Research in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com

Lavonne Daffron Gibson Thomas

February 9, 1928 - January 27, 2020