Lavonne Bryant Goodfleisch

GOODFLEISCH Lavonne Bryant Goodfleisch, 85, of Reynoldsburg, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of May 16, 2007, following a brief illness. Born on August 12, 1921, in Purvis, Mississippi to Michael Crawford Bryant and Maranda Beach Bryant, she was the fifth of seven children and spent her early years in Purvis and nearby Columbia. She graduated from Purvis Special Consolidated School in 1939. When the armed forces were expanded to include women during World War II, Lavonne enlisted in the U.S. Navy Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). She was trained as a code-breaker and was a member of the unit featured in a NOVA program on PBS about the Top Secret Enigma decoding project based in Washington, D.C. Her golden hair earned her the nickname, "Blondie," and her petite frame and flashing blue eyes attracted the attention of Navy recruiters, who asked her to pose for a news photo about serving with the WAVES. In 1945, she married Robert Sheldon Goodfleisch, and the couple eventually returned to his hometown of Columbus Ohio where she continued to live after his death in 1982. In her later years, she worked as a staff member for Ohio State Representatives Joe Haines of Xenia and Charles "Red" Ash of North Canton. Lavonne enjoyed travel, dancing, reading, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and learning new things. As part of her volunteer work with Meals on Wheels, she delivered meals to shut-ins until well into her 70s and later worked on-site in the local senior lunch program. She was an active member of Parkview Presbyterian Church in Reynoldsburg. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three brothers James K. Bryant, Rolin Crawford Bryant, Stanley Harding Bryant, and two sisters Margie Mae (Bryant) Cameron and Thelma Lillian (Bryant) Voss. She is survived by one daughter, Marcy Jill Goodfleisch of Austin, Texas; two sons, Robert Sheldon (Pam) Goodfleisch, Jr. of Dublin, and Michael Crawford (Bobbie) Goodfleisch of Pickerington; step-son, George Robert (Carole) Goodfleisch of Columbus; and a sister, Ruby Bryant Smalley of Purvis, Mississippi. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Bryan Goodfleisch, Lisa Goodfleisch Myers, Mark Goodfleisch, Karen Goodfleisch Thompson, Kevin Busick, Eric Busick, Amy Goodfleisch Francis, Jason Fields, Jacob Goodfleisch, Nicholas Goodfleisch, Kayla Goodfleisch and Lauren Goodfleisch; as well as four great-grandchildren, Vanessa Francis, Heather Francis, Stephanie Francis and Elijah Francis. Friends may call at the SHAW-DAVIS FUNERAL HOME VICTORIAN VILLAGE CHAPEL, 34 W. 2nd Ave., Friday 6-9 p.m., where a funeral service will be held Saturday 1 p.m. Pastor Robert Gray officiating.