LaVena Lou Mitchell, 51, daughter of Lyndle Lewis and Mary Frances Day Zumwalt, was born Oct. 28, 1956, at Rolla. She died Aug. 5, 2008, at her home near Mountain Grove following an extended illness.
She grew up and attended school in Raymondville and Houston. She obtained her G.E.D. and later a bachelor’s degree in education.
She worked at The Lee factory in Houston until its closing and later for Houston Sportswear and The Cracker Jack Cleaning Service in Mountain Grove until her health started to fail.
She married Dewey Q. Barton Feb. 1, 1973. They had two children and were divorced in 2002.
She married Allen Mitchell June 27, 2003. They made their home in the Mountain Grove area for the last few years.
While living at Mountain Grove, she attended the United Baptist Church east of Mountain Grove as long as her health permitted.
She was preceded in death by her father and grandparents.
Surviving are her husband of the home; son, Dewey Barton Jr. of Junction City, Kan.; daughter, Amy Leggett of Cabool; her mother of Houston; three stepdaughters, Jackie Emerick, Chauncie Mitchell and Kristen Mitchell; one brother, Gary L. Zumwalt of Holden; and one sister, Mary Ann Cooper of Houston; and three grandchildren.
Services are 10 o’clock Friday at the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home Chapel in Mountain Grove with the Rev. Junior Hutsell officiating. Burial is in the Hillcrest Cemetery at Mountain Grove.
Visitation is 7 to 8 o’clock tonight (Thursday) at the funeral home chapel.
