With strength and grace, Lavon "Gingi" Elaine Pruiett bravely finished her fight at age 76 on March 15, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. She was surrounded by family in her home in Springfield, Missouri.

Lavon was born on May 7, 1941, to Jessie and Albert Stafford in Ava, Missouri. Lavon was the oldest of 7 children and attended Ava High School. She retired after many faithful years of work at Lilly Tulip/Sweetheart Cup. She was married to her husband of 57 years, Cletis Pruiett, on June 21, 1958. She now joins her husband, her son, Jerry, her father and mother, and her sister, Virginia Thurman, in heaven.

You could find Lavon walking laps around Cooper Park, hanging out with "her girls," watching MSU basketball, reading books, attending The Church at Webster Park, checking in on all of her friends, and surprising everyone with an occasional witty comment. Though small in stature, she was mighty in love.

She is survived by her two daughters, Brenda and husband Tim O'Connell (Springfield, Missouri), and Kim and husband Pat O'Sullivan (Lamar, Missouri); her four granddaughters, Megan and husband Carlo Cardellini (Portland, Oregon), Mallory O'Connell (Denver, Colorado), Madison and husband Micah Petersen (Tulsa, Oklahoma), Erin O'Sullivan (Springfield, Missouri); and her favorite furry friend, Kiki. She is also survived by her two sisters, Phyllis Hawkins and Pat Thomas; and three brothers, Allen Stafford, Terry Stafford, and Leroy Stafford.

A funeral service will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel ( 1947 East Seminole, Springfield, MO 65804 ) on Monday, March 19. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. and continue until the funeral service begins at 1:00 p.m. A brief graveside burial service will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Mount Tabor Cemetery in Ava, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri ( 3161 W. Norton Rd., Springfield, MO 65803 ) or Stand Up to Cancer ( www.standuptocancer.org click on donate).