Lavonya Bess was born on June 21, 1952, in Valdosta, Ga., to the late Mosie Lee Rutledge and Sanders Bess. During her early years of childhood, she was raised by her loving grandmother, Rosa Lee Griffin and attended the Madison Training School. She accepted Christ at an early age under the leadership of Rev. Washington. During her mid- teenage years, she moved to Rochester, N.Y. where she completed high school and furthered her education at Rochester Institute of Technology and Monroe Community College, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
She enjoyed traveling, shopping and talking about the greatness of God with whomever she encountered. Lavonya drove a bus for many years, managed her own tax business and drove semi-trucks during her life on this earth.
On Friday, March 11, 2022, at 12:24 a.m., she was granted her heavenly wings after battling with a long-term illness. She spent her last days enjoying family and friends with a smile on her face.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Mosie Bess Rutledge; two brothers; Herman Castleberry and Johnny Rutledge; and her grandmother, Rosa Lee Griffin.
Levonya leaves to cherish her precious memories: a long companion of many years, Estifen Leburn; one brother; AJ Rutledge (Chris Rutledge); 3 sisters: Andrea, Zellen, and Roselee Rutledge, all of Rochester, N.Y.; four god daughters: Jannah Givens (Madison, Fla.), Laquanna Givens (Tallahassee, Fla.), Thria Beckford and Izora Manhertz of Rochester, N.Y.; Special friends: Jacqueline Williams (42 yrs, Madison, Fla.), Zelma Manhertz (36 yrs, Va.), Joyce Spence, Gwen Coleman, Zelda McFadden and Norman Barfield.
Visitation will be at Ganzy Funeral Home on Friday, March 18, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, March 19, at 1 p.m. at Walls Cemetery in Valdosta, Ga.
Arrangements are entrusted to Ganzy Funeral Home, (850) 973-3267.