Obituary

Ladonna brevard yaussy, teacher, school administrator and singer with several local musical groups, died at home on june 14, 2014 at the age of 54. She suffered from metastatic colon cancer, which was diagnosed late in march and progressed rapidly.

Ladonna is survived by her husband, david; her three sons, brandon, thomas and cameron; her grandson, ryker; her three siblings, leanna (roy) of chickamauga, georgia, rose (george) of santa barbara, california and jonathan of chickamauga; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, anna lee and paul lewis brevard of circleville, ohio.

Ladonna was born january 18, 1960 in columbus, ohio and was raised in circleville, graduating from logan elm high school in 1978, where she graduated with honors and was elected homecoming queen. She attended otterbein college in westerville, ohio where she was again elected homecoming queen and graduated with a b.S. In education in 1982. It was at otterbein that she met her husband david and she loved to tell the story of how they met. It has never been clear to those who knew her, least of all david, why she chose him, but it turned out to be the most fortuitous thing that ever happened to him. They married on october 16, 1982.

In 1984, ladonna moved with david to charleston, where she became an exemplary housewife and mother. When the children were older, she took the post of administrator at a local montessori school, where she met many fine families and children that she cherished all her life.

Ladonna loved singing and studied with rene conlin. She performed in a number of light opera guild and kanawha players performances and took delight in being on stage. She also sang with a number of big bands and jazz combos and a group of which she was a founding member, southbound. She appreciated good music when it was performed by others and was quick to offer compliments and praise.

Ladonna’s last employment was teaching music at charleston montessori and as a reading instructor with the appalachian reading center. She greatly enjoyed helping children learn to read, especially children with learning challenges.

Ladonna’s life was one of simple goodness. She was perennially cheerful and indefatigably caring. She touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed. She bore the pain and indignity of her final illness with a grace and courage that were a model for all who witnessed it.

Visitation with the family will be offered at barlow bonsall funeral home from 5:30 to 7:30 p.M. On thursday, june 19. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.M. On saturday, june 21 at st. Mark’s united methodist church, located at the corner of washington and dickinson, with a luncheon to follow in the church dining room for all those interested in attending.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to st. Marks united methodist church or the appalachian reading center.

Barlow bonsall funeral home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.