Neoma Marie LaFevers

Memorial celebration services for Neoma Marie LaFevers, 88, of Tyler, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2009, at Lloyd James Funeral chapel with the Rev. Scott Wiley officiating. Private burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.

Mrs. LaFevers died at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler on Wednesday, June 24, 2009.

Neoma was the daughter of the late Arthur Jackson Dunavin and Amy Francis Dunavin. Her greatest treasures in life were her family, many friends and fellowship with her Lord. Some of her happiest hours were spent with her husband Hildred, daughter Jo and her granddaughter Heather and family.

She was one of three children. The family lived in Tahlequah, Okla., where she graduated from high school and attended North Eastern University. She married Hildred Garland LaFevers in Tahlequah, and they made their home in Poteau, Okla., where they lived for 48 years.

Neoma and Hildred developed Park Center, a retail and food shopping center in Poteau, as well as serving as charter members of Poteau State Bank. Hildred served as president of the Oklahoma Retail Grocer's Association and he and Neoma enjoyed the opportunities they had together to make wonderful friends in Oklahoma and throughout the U.S. as representatives of their industry.

Neoma was active in her community and enjoyed giving her time to her church and community through volunteer service in the Hospital Guild, local PTA and garden club. She treasured her friends and loved her family. She was a devoted Christian lady, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. As an active member of First Baptist Church, Poteau, Neoma loved singing in her church choir and was a Sunday school teacher for young children.

Though Neoma had many fine qualities and talents, her "cooking" was outstanding! She loved to entertain and prepare a beautiful table for her family and friends. She loved music and singing and had a gift for writing poetry as well as painting. Neoma was artistic and sensitive to the beauty of the world around her. She loved nature, beautiful flowers and always loved watching the beautiful birds in her yard.

She and Hildred loved to travel and shared wonderful memories of beautiful places they visited in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

In 1990, she and Hildred retired and moved to Tyler where they were members of First Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Hildred Garland LaFevers; one brother, George Thomas Dunavin of Oklahoma; daughter, Jo Kathryn LaFevers Ingraham and son-in-law Dr. Richard Lewis Ingraham, both of Corpus Christi; granddaughter, Heather Marie Ingraham Aycock and husband Thomas Matthew Aycock; three great-grandchildren, Lauren Kathryn Aycock, Thomas Ingraham "Graham" Aycock and Caroline Elizabeth Aycock, all of Houston.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Lydia Leona Dunavin Adams.

Our Mimi-La, as her great grandchildren called her, will be missed, but we rejoice in her homecoming with her Lord.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 26, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, 75701; or the charity of your choice.