Lavonne Woods

Lavonne Erline Ledbetter Woods passed away on March 1, 2025 in New Braunfels, Texas.

Lavonne was born on November 26, 1930, in Brenham, Washington County, Texas, to Bruce Kenneth and Emma Jean Ledbetter. She attended Brenham High School from 1945 to 1949, where she was an active member of the school band, serving as a band twirler during her sophomore, junior, and senior years. In her senior year, Lavonne also took on the role of assistant Drum Major. From 1946 to 1947, she was involved with the Rainbow Girls (Masonic Eastern Star). A devoted member of Grace Lutheran Church in Brenham, Lavonne was confirmed in her Lutheran faith on April 4, 1946. She took great pride in her faith and was actively involved in the church’s charitable Afternoon Ladies Circle. During high school, she was selected as one of four senior girls to participate in the Girls State organization, where she engaged in a mock government program, taking on roles such as Texas Representative, Senator, and Governor. In 1950, Lavonne was recognized for her academic excellence and leadership, receiving the Outstanding Freshman award at Blinn College in Brenham. On October 21, 1950, she married John Davis Woods of North Elm, Milam County, Texas. Their marriage endured for decades until John’s passing at the age of 84 on February 10, 2013.

Lavonne Woods was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Throughout her adult life, she found joy in antiquing, cooking, sewing, and quilting. She also cherished her Charles Dickens Village Collection, which remained a beloved hobby for many years. Lavonne had a fulfilling career in payroll at Jefferson Chemical/Texaco Company, where she worked from 1960 until her retirement in 1986. After retiring, she embraced life to the fullest, enjoying her years in Gonzales, Brenham, Palacios, and New Braunfels, Texas.
Beloved survivors on the Ledbetter side of her family include daughter Cynthia Jean Woods, daughter Shelley Lavonne Meister (Lavonne is known as Mom), two grandchildren Welcome Travelor Meister and wife Addy, Whitney Lavonne Meister Rose and husband Corey (Lavonne is known as Granny), and four great-grandchildren, Kendallyn Lavonne Rose, Layton Lane Rose, Kennaysn Grace Rose, and Lynken Norris Rose who all live in North Dakota (Lavonne is known as Gigi). Randal B. and Elisa Ledbetter (brother and sister-in-law), Bruce (and spouse Kim) Ledbetter (nephew and niece-in-law), Regina (and spouse Glenn Yockey) (niece and nephew-in-law), and Randall Ledbetter (nephew), four great-nephews and great-nieces, Logan, Alexa, Courtney, Faith and Summer.

Beloved survivors on the Woods side of her family are Don and Bett Woods (brother and sister-in-law), Darrin Woods (nephew), Shirley and Betty Woods (sisters-in-law), and Edward Allen and Crystal Woods (brother and sister-in-law) and four great-nieces and nephews Ryan, Brittany, Austin, and Sean.

A favorite bible verse of Lavonne’s was John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Funeral services will be Friday, March 14, 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church of Brenham, Texas at 2:00pm. Burial will follow at Prairie Lea Cemetery.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, Texas 77833. 979.836.3611. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com