Lavon (Merritt) Martins

Lavon Martins, 82, of Bonne Terre, Mo., formerly of Butler County died Sunday, May 13, 2012 at the residence of her son in Foristell, Mo.

Mrs. Martins was born Feb. 19, 1930 in the Lone Hill Community of Butler County. She was of the Baptist faith, and was a homemaker. Mrs. Martins enjoyed spending time with her family, rose gardening and animals.

On Sept. 18, 1948, she married Carl John Martins in Poplar Bluff. He survives.

Other survivors include two children, Carl Darrell Martins and wife Cynthia of Foristell, Mo. and Karen Lynn Levine and husband Art of Dove Canyon, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Joshua Carico and wife Shannon, Crystal Vohsen and husband Brad, Cassandra Brimager and husband Nick, Christopher Martins, Camille McArdle, Alex Levine and Steven Levine; seven great-grandchildren, Joshua Carico Jr., Bailey Carico, Jack Carico, Abigail Vohsen, Andrew Vohsen, Caleb Brimager and Titus Brimager; a brother, Gene Merritt of San Bernadino, Calif.; and a close cousin, Arlene Stout of Bonne Terre, Mo.

Her parents, John and Dorothy (Brannum) Merritt, daughter, Cathy L. Contento and brother, Glen Merritt preceded Mrs. Martins in death.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral chapel with Pastor Robert Eggers officiating. Burial will follow at Lone Hill Cemetery in Butler County.

Memorials may be made to the Missouri Baptist Children's Home, 11300 Saint Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton, MO 63044.