of Little Rock, AR
January 27, 1933 - September 22, 2023
LaVonne Bevans Ramsay Ferguson passed away September 22, 2023. She was born January 27, 1933 in England, Arkansas to J. LaVelle and Opal Godsey Bevans. She was a graduate of England High School and attended the University of Arkansas, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta. She earned her BSW from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa and Masters in Social Work from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock. She was a licensed LCSW, ALSW and a member of the NASW.
She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women's group. LaVonne worked as a psychotherapist for the S. E. Arkansas Mental Health Clinic and as a program manager for eleven years at Youth Homes, Inc. in Pine Bluff and Little Rock before retiring.
She married Gerald D. Ferguson in 1997 and resided in Little Rock until her death. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Dr. James L. Bevans; her husband, Gerald; stepson, Blake Leiting; her first husband, Rodney B. Ramsay and her beloved "Dandy". She is survived by Rodney B. Ramsay, Jr. (Susan) of Birmingham, Alabama; Bevans R. Fulbright (Dave Winiarski) of Chattanooga, Tennessee and James A. Ramsay (Cynda) of Little Rock. Grandchildren, Booth Ramsay (Jessica)and great-grandchildren, Olive and Webb of Los Angeles, California; Sara Ramsay of San Diego, California; Allison Ramsay of San Francisco, California; Ramsay Fulbright (Karilynn) of Fort Thomas, Kentucky; Kate Fulbright of Durham, North Carolina and Sam Fulbright (Kaysee) of Knoxville, Tennessee. Two step-grand-daughters, Leslie Gipson Shelor (Brian); great-granddaughters, Claudia and Emory of Huntsville, Alabama; Laura Gipson Clark (Jason); great-grandchildren, Matthew and Mary Elizabeth of Birmingham, Alabama. LaVonne also had a step-daughter, Gina Dunham of Omaha, Nebraska and her children, Nick (Jen) Leiting, their children Lucille, Oscar and Penelope of Grand Island, Nebraska; Chelsey (Michael) Sanchez and their children, Presden and Myles of Omaha, Nebraska; John (Megan) Dunham of Omaha, Nebraska. She is also survived by one sister, Gayle Bevans Carver of Searcy, Arkansas and her beloved "Wednesday Wine Down" ladies.
The family would also like to give a special thanks to Avenir Memory Care for greatly improving mom's quality of life in her last year.
Funeral service for LaVonne will be 10:00am Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 2223 Durwood Rd, Little Rock, AR 72207, with visitation beginning at 9:15a.m., the Reverend Pam Estes will officiate.
Yesterday I noticed it was time to send LaVonne another Birthday Wish. At my age (91), now check with Google to make sure about the person ... Well, you can imagine the shock and sorrow at reading that LaVonne "left us" last September ... we were Tri Deltas together at the UofA and my best description of her was a kind, beautiful person - both inside and out, and always with an engaging smile for all to see. Will miss you, sweet "sister" ... ?? My heart goes out to her Family and Friends ??
Aunt Lavonne was always so kind when we were growing up. She will leave behind that legacy. The family will be in our thoughts and prayers during this time of mourning her loss. May each one be comforted by wonderful memories shared with her.
I’m so very sorry to hear of your loss. It is so difficult to lose your mother. I’ll be thinking about the whole family.
Bev, Dave, Ramsay and Family,
Our condolences to you all at this time.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
We had the pleasure to meet LaVonne. She was a beautiful lady.
May her memory be eternal.
God bless,
Bill and Paulette Galiotos
Knowing that you are blessed with an abundance of great memories, I trust that even in this time of loss that those will bouy you up in the days and years ahead. Prayers for you and your family, Bev.
So sorry for the loss of your Mother, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I will always remember LaVonne. I always thought she was the most beautiful lady I had ever seen. Prayers for the family.
Bev, Dave and family,
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and yours during this time. We are so sorry for the loss of your mother, but hope that the good memories help ease the sorrow. We love you both. Here for you always,
Alysha Winiarski & Will Arcand