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Ila Laverne Blasengame Elliott went to her heavenly home on January 1, 2025 at the age of 89. She was a woman of great tenacity who loved the Lord, her family and the great state of Texas. While her absence has left us with great sadness, the memories of her life and love will forever be with us and live on in the hearts of everyone she touched.
Laverne was born on April 26, 1935, to the late Archie and Bertha Cates in Amarillo, Texas. She had 4 older sisters, 4 older brothers and one younger brother, all of whom preceded her in death. Laverne loved country and western music. She had a beautiful alto voice and, as a young girl, sang with her brother Frank. They were frequent guests on Bob Wills’ radio show, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys.
When Laverne was 17, she met the love of her life, James Bobby Blasengame, who was serving in the Air Force at the time. They married in September of 1952 and went on to have 4 beautiful children with the last two being a surprise set of twins. JB was an Arkansas boy and that set the stage for decades of rivalry as they both loved sports. Whenever Arkansas and Texas played, the kids never had to go into the room to know who was winning. They knew by who was yelling the loudest! Laverne and JB not only shared a love of sports, they were also avid bowlers in a bowling league. When they weren’t bowling or yelling at a football game, they were often hosting their friends for hours long card games of spades and hearts. JB departed this world after 31 years of marriage. Laverne remarried in 1984 and spent 18 years with Coak “Ed” Elliott before he too left for his heavenly home.
Laverne spent nearly 50 years as a military spouse. She loved our country and supported our military and veterans. One of the things she was most proud of was the service of her son and grandchildren in the Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force and Navy.
Laverne lived her life with a no-nonsense attitude and didn’t get her feathers ruffled over many things, but if you wanted an earful, she was always good for a lecture on religion or politics. She was a woman about her convictions who was never short on advice and had a scripture handy for every conversation. She loved gardening and growing things. Laverne could put a stick in the ground, and it would sprout! Along with her gardens, she loved the birds that visited, especially hummingbirds. She was also a wonderful cook and until her health prevented it, insisted on preparing family holiday meals on her own. She knew everyone’s favorites and was always sure to have it on the table when we were visiting. She loved her family deeply and she loved us well.
In addition to her parents, siblings and spouses, Laverne was preceded in death by her great grandson, Carson Blasengame. She leaves behind to cherish her memory: sons, Dana (Valerie) Blasengame of White Hall, AR and Dennis (Sherry) Blasengame of Pine Bluff, AR; daughters, Cheryl Havard of Monticello, AR and Denise Hawthorne of Monticello, AR; grandchildren, Dylan, James, Tye, Daniel, Amber, Christopher, Rachel, Shaina, Brandy and Caleb; great-grandchildren, Lily, Brent, Madison, River, Regan, Lyric, Tristan, Ayala, Laela, Elliette, Bo, McKenzie, Cole, Kensley, Charlie, Rylee, Sawyer, Jade, Payton, Jenna, Alyssa, Bailey, Trent, Soren, Roman, Felicity, Carson, and Ryzen; great-great grandchildren, Isabelle, Denver, Emory, and Waylin, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel. You can sign Laverne's guestbook here on her page.
Laverne was born on April 26, 1935, to the late Archie and Bertha Cates in Amarillo, Texas. She had 4 older sisters, 4 older brothers and one younger brother, all of whom preceded her in death. Laverne loved country and western music. She had a beautiful alto voice and, as a young girl, sang with her brother Frank. They were frequent guests on Bob Wills’ radio show, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys.
When Laverne was 17, she met the love of her life, James Bobby Blasengame, who was serving in the Air Force at the time. They married in September of 1952 and went on to have 4 beautiful children with the last two being a surprise set of twins. JB was an Arkansas boy and that set the stage for decades of rivalry as they both loved sports. Whenever Arkansas and Texas played, the kids never had to go into the room to know who was winning. They knew by who was yelling the loudest! Laverne and JB not only shared a love of sports, they were also avid bowlers in a bowling league. When they weren’t bowling or yelling at a football game, they were often hosting their friends for hours long card games of spades and hearts. JB departed this world after 31 years of marriage. Laverne remarried in 1984 and spent 18 years with Coak “Ed” Elliott before he too left for his heavenly home.
Laverne spent nearly 50 years as a military spouse. She loved our country and supported our military and veterans. One of the things she was most proud of was the service of her son and grandchildren in the Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force and Navy.
Laverne lived her life with a no-nonsense attitude and didn’t get her feathers ruffled over many things, but if you wanted an earful, she was always good for a lecture on religion or politics. She was a woman about her convictions who was never short on advice and had a scripture handy for every conversation. She loved gardening and growing things. Laverne could put a stick in the ground, and it would sprout! Along with her gardens, she loved the birds that visited, especially hummingbirds. She was also a wonderful cook and until her health prevented it, insisted on preparing family holiday meals on her own. She knew everyone’s favorites and was always sure to have it on the table when we were visiting. She loved her family deeply and she loved us well.
In addition to her parents, siblings and spouses, Laverne was preceded in death by her great grandson, Carson Blasengame. She leaves behind to cherish her memory: sons, Dana (Valerie) Blasengame of White Hall, AR and Dennis (Sherry) Blasengame of Pine Bluff, AR; daughters, Cheryl Havard of Monticello, AR and Denise Hawthorne of Monticello, AR; grandchildren, Dylan, James, Tye, Daniel, Amber, Christopher, Rachel, Shaina, Brandy and Caleb; great-grandchildren, Lily, Brent, Madison, River, Regan, Lyric, Tristan, Ayala, Laela, Elliette, Bo, McKenzie, Cole, Kensley, Charlie, Rylee, Sawyer, Jade, Payton, Jenna, Alyssa, Bailey, Trent, Soren, Roman, Felicity, Carson, and Ryzen; great-great grandchildren, Isabelle, Denver, Emory, and Waylin, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel. You can sign Laverne's guestbook here on her page.