Deceased Name: Lavern Medell White

© Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Lavern Medell White was born on April 8, 1933, the fifth living child of Everett and Elvia Medell. Lavern arrived early and weighed two pounds at birth. Her brother and sisters were proud of their tiny little sister and kept her warm in a shoe box next to the wood-burning stove in their two-room farmhouse outside of Bennington, in Bryan County.

Lavern didn't receive a birth certificate until she became an adult because they never thought she would survive at such a low birth weight; instead she was registered as "Baby Girl Medell".

But Lavern did survive, born with the grit it took to survive and cherished by all who were around her. Growing up, all her siblings knew that they had to take care of Lavern. It was their responsibility to make sure nothing happened to her - - they were diligent in protecting her to the point that in her adulthood Lavern would readily admit her brothers and sisters had spoiled her.

However, Lavern grew up knowing the value of hard work. She worked alongside her brothers and sisters in the fields, picking cotton and hoeing rows of corn, doing her part to keep the family alive.

At Bennington High School, Lavern was the FFA Sweetheart and played basketball on one of the first girl's high school basketball teams in the State of Oklahoma. In 2005, she and her fellow teammates were honored by Southeastern Oklahoma Athletic Departments as one of the Pioneer Women of Basketball when they were inducted in Bryan County Athletics Hall of Fame.

After Lavern graduated from high school and married Nathan White she had two daughters who were her most prized accomplishments.

Her work ethic was unparalleled. Lavern made all of her daughter's clothes as they were growing up. She would wake up early in the morning, sometimes as early as 4:00 or 4:30 so she could sew for an hour before she went on a 3 mile walk, all before she went to work as a hairdresser where it wasn't uncommon for her to put in a 10 or 12 hour day. She worked hard at home and at the beauty shop because her dream was for her daughters to attend college.

Later in life her joy were her grandsons, Colin and Cody Boyd. The boys provided much happiness and always brought a smile to her face. The arrival of her great granddaughter, Campbell Kate Boyd, brought the same joy and happiness to her as her grandsons did.

Lavern was a devout Christian and loved attending services at Northwest Church of Christ. During her life she loved sewing, crocheting, quilting and volunteering at the hospital. She loved her family and she loved tending to her home.

Lavern was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Elvia Medell; two brothers, Richard and Kenneth Medell; and two sisters Mary Lou Spear and Yvonne Harmon.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Nathan C. White; two daughters, Laquita Boyd and her husband, Bill, and Belinda Pustka and her husband James; two grandsons, Colin and Cody Boyd along with Colin's wife, Emily Zayak Boyd; a great granddaughter, Campbell Kate Boyd; and a sister, Ruth Hannan, who was her lifelong protector, friend and shopping companion.

Lavern Medell White lived a happy and fulfilled Christian life. Lavern was a member of the Choctaw Tribe; she was always proud of her heritage. She died a peaceful death at home on September 30, 2015.

The family appreciates Nancy Sullivan for the gentle care she provided to Lavern during her final months of life.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2015 at the Holmes ~ Coffey ~ Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma.

A church service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2015 at the Northwest Church of Christ in Durant with Bro. Don Gelles officiating.

Interment will follow at the Silo Restland Cemetery in Boswell. Serving as pallbearers will be Colin Boyd, Cody Boyd, Michael Milne, Bob Hannan, Steve Hannan and Richard Hannan. Honorary pallbearers are Paul Fry, Edward Brisco, O'Neal Baber and Tom James.

Family and friends may send online condolences and view tributes at www.holmescoffeymurray.com.

Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, Durant, Oklahoma.

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