Laveda Norton, age 82, Joplin, passed away on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 after a sudden illness.
Laveda was born August 20, 1939 in Mountain View, Missouri, daughter of the late Evan Owens and Evelyn Harriett (Clapsaddle) Owens. She graduated from Mountain View High School in 1958 and attended classes at Missouri Southern State University.
Laveda met her husband Richard Norton while working at the Dairy Jane in Mountain View and they were united in marriage on June 15, 1958 in Mountain View, Missouri. Together they shared 59 precious years before his passing on November 12, 2017.
In 1977 her husband Richard built Frontier Market in Airport Drive, which he and Laveda ran until 1985. They also began International Tours with their son and daughter in 1983, retiring in 1998.
Laveda was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church of Joplin where she was a member of the TriM Sunday School Class and very involved in Women’s Missions. She was a member of the Sanctuary Singers and Ladies Sunset Fellowship. She was currently attending Nashville United Methodist Church. As recently as 2019 she volunteered on a Mission Trip with UMCOR Sager-Brown. She was a Den Mother and Boy Scout Instructor for several years with Troop #70 of Carl Junction, a member of the Joplin Jaycees Wives, volunteer for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation and helped start a local Literary Club. But above all Laveda loved her family. She cherished the memories created and time spent with family and friends. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
In addition to her parents and husband, Richard, Laveda was also preceded in death by her sister, Madelyn Ledgerwood; brothers, Dennis Owens and Dwight Owens; and grandson, William Richard “Will” Norton.
Laveda is lovingly survived by her son, Mark Norton and wife, Trish; daughter, Tracey Norton Presslor and husband Jeff; grandchildren, Sara Oserowsky and husband, Grant, Matthew Henson and wife, Evadne, and Dillon Presslor; great granddaughter, Anna Oserowsky; brother, Curtis Owens and wife, Lila; sisters, Carol Weaver and husband, Don, Phyllis Hardcastle and husband, Bob; together with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be Friday, January 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Roger Nichols officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mark Norton, Curtis Owens, Jeff Presslor, Matthew Henson, Dillon Presslor, Tim Owens and Clint Owens.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the TriM Sunday School Class or the organization of the donor’s choice.