Lavada Bly Casey passed away on Oct. 3, 2019, at her residence in the Canyonlands Care Center, one month to the day after her 107th birthday.
Lavada was born on Nov. 3, 1912, in Jamestown, Arkansas, to Zack and Rena (Quick) Bly.
The oldest of 10 children, Lavada grew up in Jamestown, Arkansas. She married Darrel Casey on Jan. 1, 1937, in Clarksville, Arkansas. They had three children and lived the first part of their married life in her hometown, where her husband was a coal miner and construction worker. They lived in several states until they settled in Moab, where they lived for 60 years. She was baptized as a member of the Community Baptist Church in 1961.
Lavada worked as a cook and manager of the school kitchen at both the South East Elementary and Helen M. Knight Elementary for 18 years. She learned to drive at age 65, so she could get herself to work.
After the death of her children and husband, Lavada moved back to her hometown of Clarksville, Arkansas, for about 12 years. She returned to Utah three years ago to be near her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survived by siblings Barbara Bly Pharis (Johnnie, deceased), Jim Bly (Margie), Tom Bly (Barbara); daughter Pat (Campbell) Hawks and daughter-in-law Carol (Rogers) Freudiger; her grand-daughters, Marcie Hawks (Kevin) Carter, Debi and Shelley Hawks, Michele Casey, and Amanda Flanigan; six great-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her parents, siblings and their spouses, Horace Bly (Ida), David Bly (Peggy), Bill Bly (Edyth), Bob Bly (Marty); her husband Darrel Casey; her children, daughter Sue Hawks, Jackie Lee Norris, Casey and Ken Casey; two grandchildren, Troy Michael Casey and James Richard Casey; and a great-granddaughter, Katherine Casey Carter.
Lavada wished to offer remembrances of Bob and Yvonne Hawks (Yvonne deceased) and their children, who were like family and who helped and cared for Buster and her after the loss of their children.
The family would like to thank the Mary Marthas and Pastor Keith of the Community Church of Moab. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society.
There will be a viewing on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 5 p.m. at Spanish Valley Mortuary. A funeral will follow on Monday, Oct. 14, at 11 a.m. at the Community Church of Moab.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com
