Lavonne Rodgers Obituary

Lavonne Rodgers

November 30, 1926 - May 31, 2025

Morro Bay, California - Lavonne Rodgers, of Morro Bay, California, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2025, at the age of 98. She was born Lavonne Elizabeth Heryford in Coalinga, California, to Ethel and Daryl "Po" Heryford on November 30, 1926.

Lavonne graduated from Coalinga Union High School in 1944 and soon after married her high school sweetheart, Ben Rodgers, who was serving in the U.S. Navy. Their early years together took them to various parts of California before settling in Morro Bay in 1962, where Ben worked for Pacific Gas and Electric.

Known for her warm hospitality, Lavonne loved hosting gatherings for friends and family, including a post-Thanksgiving golf tournament she and Ben organized for over 30 years. She was deeply involved in community service, dedicating over 60 years to the Order of the Eastern Star and contributing to Little League, Camp Fire, and the PTA. Summers were often spent at Bass Lake, water skiing and fishing - a beloved family tradition for generations.

Lavonne also held several professional roles, including in the Cal Poly admissions office and later as a successful real estate agent in Morro Bay. In retirement, she became an avid golfer, playing well into her 90s, winning tournaments at Sea Pines, and remaining a longtime member of the Morro Bay Women's Golf Club. In later years, she enjoyed dice, cards, and bingo with friends and family.

Her greatest joy was her family - her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. With Ben, she rarely missed a sporting event, whether it was just down the road or even across the country a time or two. While she was a quieter presence in the stands than Ben, keeping her own score at ball games just in case, her pride in her family was unmistakable to everyone around her.

Lavonne was preceded in death by her husband, Ben, and two sons, David and Danny. She is survived by her daughter, Cathy Garcia (Domingos); daughters-in-law, Cindy Rodgers and Sue Rodgers; five grandchildren: Michele (Curt), Justin (Diana), Ben (Valrie), Joe (Nicole), and Jenna (Charlie); and twelve great-grandchildren: Sierra, Nolan, Ellyn, Zane, Shae, Bella, Marie, Ben, Leo, Natalie, Romeo, and George.

A memorial service celebrating Lavonne's life will be held at her home on Friday, June 13 at 12:30 p.m. A church service will be held Saturday, June 28 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Estero Bay United Methodist Church or Woods Humane Society in her name.