LaVona Maxine (Stalcup) Reid, the daughter of Gabriel Everett and Effie Leona (Worley) Stalcup, was born December 30, 1920 in Forbes, Missouri. She attended school in Oregon, Missouri, graduating in 1938 from Oregon High School. LaVona then attended Missouri State Teacher’s College, Maryville, Missouri, where she earned her 60 hour teacher’s certificate in 1940. LaVona would eventually earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from Tarkio College, Tarkio, Missouri, in 1970.

On January 18, 1944, LaVona was united in marriage to Milton Reid in Wichita, Kansas. They became the proud parents of two children, Randy and Jacque Gayle. Milton passed away in 1985. LaVona passed away at her home on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at the age of 88 years.

LaVona taught elementary school at Corning, Missouri from 1940 to 1942; and Forest City, Missouri in 1943. She then took time off from her career to raise her family. In 1966, she began substitute teaching, and taught Kindergarten in the Rock Port school system until 1971. From 1971 to 1980, LaVona taught 4th grade in Rock Port. She was awarded Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America in 1975. She then joined the faculty and administration at Tarkio College, where she taught in the education department from 1980 until her retirement in May, 1989. Her list of honors, awards and speaking engagements are too numerous to list. Most recently, the Rock Port High School students voted her as a “Community Hero.” For 33 years, LaVona was devoted to the classroom, educating and touching the lives of countless students of all ages.

LaVona was a tireless Rock Port Blue Jay fan, supporting not only her family, but anyone who donned a Blue Jay uniform. Many of them called her “Grandma” because of her loyalty. She was also a great fan and cheerleader sponsor while at Tarkio College.

Besides her parents and her husband, Milton, LaVona is preceded in death by two brothers, Sparky and Max Stalcup. LaVona is survived by her son, Randy Reid and his wife, Cathy, St. Louis, Missouri and daughter, Jacque Gayle Gebhards and her husband, Gary, Rock Port; three grandchildren, Tad Gebhards and his wife, Michelle, Tyler Gebhards and his wife, Sarah and Tawni Gebhards; four great grandchildren, Carter, Grant, Logan and Reid; numerous nieces and nephews.

Services:
11:00 am, Saturday, September 19, 2009, United Methodist Church, Rock Port.
Interment: Elmwood Cemetery, Rock Port.
The family will receive friends, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm Friday, September 18, 2009, at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.
Memorials: LaVona Reid Rock Port School Memorial Fund.
Online Condolences and Obituaries at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.