Graveside services for Lavon Elrod, 82, formerly of Portales, will be held at 10:00 AM, Sat., Aug. 15, 2020 in the Mt. Zion Cemetery with Rev. Wesley McAfee officiating. EArl Rife, Mike Golden, Darren Elrod, Jordan Cordova, Chris Evanoff and Artie James will serve as pallbearers. Jonathan Baca and members of the Portales Fire Department will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Lavon Maxine Elrod was born April 2, 1938 to Essie Ray Swopes and Walter Raymond Swopes in Portales. She passed away August 11, 2020, in Marshall, Texas. She had 5 brothers. They lived on a ranch south of Portales. Lavon was the only girl in the family. She attended Portales schools for 11 ½ years before transferring to Dora schools where she graduated in 1956. That same year she met and married Bud Elrod and they have been married for 64 years. They made their home in Portales and had 2 children, Darren and Darla. Lavon was a home maker who was dedicated to her two children.
Lavon was a secretary for her sons business for several years and helped her daughter with anything she needed. She always had time for all her grandkids. She was very committed to helping several churches she attended over the years. She was always involved in any activities she could. Bud and Lavon would do special songs together in church. As Bud and Lavon traveled for his work, Lavon always came home to Portales for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Lavon and Bud made Portales their home again when Bud retired. They traveled to visit her younger brother, Wayman Swopes, in Odessa, TX.
Lavon had 4 grandchildren, Brittany, Trisha, Erika, and Jordon. She spent most of her summers with them. As the family continued to grow she had 9 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. As Lavon and Bud needed care and support they decided to move to Marshall, TX with Darren and Holly. Lavon and Bud bought land and a home where she enjoyed sitting on her porch watching the humming birds, deer and wildlife. As her health continued to decline, she was still able to maintain her dignity and live her life as best as she was able to do. Even though she lived in Marshall TX her home was always in Portales and often spoke of her precious memories. She is and always will be remembered as a very special and sweet lady.
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