Lavona F. Coombes, 85, of Charleston, passed away Friday, August 8, 2025 in Fort Smith. She was born June 23, 1940 in Fort Smith to the late Willie and Ethel (Wilson) Caldwell. She had worked for Walmart.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Dea Jai Lang; her favorite son-in-law, Rick Short; and five siblings.
She is survived by two daughters, Crickett Coombes-Short of Lavaca, and Leona Crowe of Siloam Springs; a sister, Kay Neal and husband Leslie of Cedarville; five grandchildren, Anah Sluder (Caleb), Ethan Crowe (Maddie), Alex Crowe (Abby), Preston Crowe, and Blake Crowe; seven great-grandchildren; and a grand-cat, Deigo.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at the Barling Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.
Viewing will be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 15, 2025, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.