Obituary: Lavonda Mae (Norrington) Wilson

April 9, 1938 – February 18, 2025

Lavonda Mae (Norrington) Wilson, 86, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. 

She was born on April 9, 1938, in Bicknell, Indiana, to parents James and Ethel (Carter) Norrington.  On November 29, 1958, she married the love of her life, Merle E. Wilson; this year, they celebrated 66 years together. 

Lavonda retired from Visteon after being a faithful employee for 32 years. She was a 1955 graduate of Mitchell High School. During her free time, she enjoyed spending as much time as she could with the lights of her life – her family. Outside of spending time with family, Lavonda loved to go thrifting, whether it was at antique shops or local yard sales.  She prided herself on having one of the “best yard sales” around.  She also enjoyed sewing, a trait she was fortunate enough to teach her granddaughter to carry on.

During the warmer months, you could see Lavonda working outside on her flowers and adding to her ever-growing landscape décor.  She was an avid believer and enjoyed attending the First Christian Church in Mitchell when possible. After the passing of her parents, Lavonda inherited their collection of Jewel Tea dishes, thus becoming a member of the Autumn Leaf Jewel Tea Club.  Over the years, she grew her collection and made lifelong friends through the club.  During her later years, Lavonda’s favorite pastime was talking on the phone to her friends, whether it was a quick check-in or for hours. She especially enjoyed her weekly chats with her grandson.

Survivors include her husband, Merle Wilson of Mitchell; daughter, Tammie Jo (Chuck) George of Bedford; granddaughter, Courtney (John) McFadden of Bedford; grandson, Cody George of San Francisco, CA; great-grandchildren, Cooper and Lola McFadden; sister Coni Norrington of Bedford; several nieces and nephews; her favorite grand dog, Gus; and many dear friends. 

Lavonda was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Darrell Norrington, and sister, Barbara Joann Abel. 

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 21, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with Pastor Dwight Dunbar officiating. Burial will follow at Mitchell Cemetery. Friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 20, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.

To honor Lavonda’s memory, please consider donating items to her favorite store, ReGeneration Thrift Store in Mitchell, so others may feel the joy she did when discovering a great thrift find. 

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com.