GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. -- Noted Arizona artist passes on after a brief illness. Lavoris Jean (Pernell) Runyon, April 24, 1937 -- Nov. 18, 2009, was born to Vada Ware and Collie Pernell in Clarksburg, W.Va., where she grew up with many loving brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews in the hills. She was proud of her heritage that was part Native American.
Lavoris was the first member of her family to graduate from college when she completed her degree in music at Marshall University.
In her early career, she was a teacher of music and special education where she spent her time having fun with a certain spirit that was all her own.
She met her future husband, Donald Eugene Runyon in the 1960s in a mutual friend's basement over a washtub of beer. They were later married in 1970. In 1971 her daughter, Nicole was born where upon Lavoris retired from her teaching career. Later in life, she picked it up again and became Coordinator of Adult Education in Kalkaska, where she touched many adult learners.
Through the years she spent her time at her home in the wilderness of Northern Michigan and also at her home in Green Valley, Ariz.
In recent years, Lavoris became an accomplished watercolorist and was a member of the Arizona Watercolor Guild and a signature member of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild. Her abstract paintings can be seen in a variety of collections.
She is survived by her husband, Donnie; daughter, Nicole (Kurt Wierman); sister, Cormadeen Bracken; and many nieces and nephews.
She touched many people through her warm spirit and fun heart (you have to have a sense of humor when your mother named you after a mouthwash). There will be no services but in keeping with her fun spirit, the family asks that you raise a toast (preferably red) to this magnificent woman.
Please share memories with the family on Lavoris' online guest book at www.legacy.com/record-eagle/.
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