Lavonne Stefanopoulos, age 87, resident of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2012. Lavonne Griffin was born on June 29, 1924 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Van Griffin and Roxie (Holt) Griffin. She moved to Borger, Texas as a small child and lived there approximately five years. In 1931, the family moved to Copan, Oklahoma where they remained through Lavonne's high school years. During WWII, she helped in the war effort through employment in a factory in Long Beach, California, assembling airplanes. Years later, she was fondly referred to at times, as "Rosie the Riveter", by her family. Lavonne met her first husband, Billy Grenier, in California and moved to his home in Dover, New Hampshire. After six months of marriage, she was widowed. She later married Pericles (Pat) Stefanopoulos on April 9, 1948. From this union, one son and one daughter were born, Daniel Pat Stefanopoulos and Lisa Roxanne Stefanopoulos. The family made their home in Bartlesville. Lavonne was employed with the Griggs' Studio and also Southwestern Bell/AT&T Telephone Company, from which she eventually retired. She was active in First Baptist Church, Bartlesville. She enjoyed her church and church friends very much. She was active in the Women's Missionary Union (now called Women on Missions) and also was a strong supporter of the Baptist Children's Home. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a friend to many. Lavonne was preceded in death by her husband, Pat Stefanopoulos on February 23, 1971; her parents, Van and Roxie Ann Griffin; sister, Grace Lucas; brother, Earl Griffin; and one great-grandchild, Mason Evan Dorsey. She is survived by her son, Dan Stefanopoulos and his wife, Liz, of Bartlesville; her daughter, Roxanne Starr, also of Bartlesville; six grandchildren, Pat Stefanopoulos and his wife, Brandy, of Bartlesville, Kathryn Stefanopoulos of Maryland, Meredith Stefanopoulos Nauman and her husband, Michael, of Texas, Trace Dorsey and his wife, Heather, of Tulsa, Ezekiel Starr of Norman, and Caleb Starr and his wife, Ashley, also of Bartlesville; two great-grandchildren, Tristan and Bailey Stefanopoulos; sister, Thelma Clayton and her husband, Hadwen, of Bartlesville; two brothers, Ray Griffin and his wife, Greta, of Copan, and Ralph Griffin and his wife, Judy, of Nowata, Oklahoma. For those who wish to honor Lavonne's memory, donations may be made to the Baptist Children's Home, 12700 E. 7684 N., Owasso, OK 74055. Services for Mrs. Stefanopoulos will be held on Tuesday, February 14, at 3:00 PM, in the First Baptist Church, Bartlesville. Interment will follow in the Dewey Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home.
Visitation Details
Monday, February 13th, 2012 9:00am - 12:00pm, Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home
Service Details
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 3:00pm
Interment Details
Dewey Cemetery