Laverna Lee Huneycutt

LaVerna Lee (Hicks) Huneycutt age 86 of Cherryvale, Kansas passed away on Monday, August 28, 2023 in Springfield, Missouri. She was born July 19, 1937 in rural Morehead, Kansas, the daughter of Vernon & Pearl (Wells) Hicks.

She attended Morehead Elementary School and then Labette County Community High School in Altamont, Kansas for her secondary education. Graduating from LCCHS in 1955 with a HS diploma, she also earned a trade school diploma in Commerce – Secretarial Training. In high school she studied piano along with her business training and was also active in student council, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), pep club, a cheerleader, twirler, and basketball and football queen candidate.

Despite growing up only a few miles apart, LaVerna did not meet her future husband Jim until after graduation. She was a waitress at Cherryvale’s Highway 169 Café when he came in for a bite to eat. LaVerna married James D. Huneycutt on July 4, 1956, at Hazeldell Southern Baptist Church just before her 19th birthday. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in 2022 before Jim’s passing in December 2022.

The Hicks family helped establish Hazeldell Southern Baptist Church and LaVerna spent many years serving the small rural church in any capacity needed. She played the piano, managed the financial records, cooked meals, cleaned, organized activities, taught Sunday School and VBS, and even transported kids in the area in a VW van to go to church and church camp. She was also instrumental in helping establish and support Theos Agape – a youth music group from the church who toured the area performing at many revivals and small churches. Later, she continued to serve at the Southern Baptist Church in Liberty, KS.

As a young woman, LaVerna worked at the Independence, KS Professional Building for legal professionals and National Life Insurance Company. Jim & LaVerna then formed Huneycutt Construction, providing heavy earth-moving excavation work for both farm and business. LaVerna managed all the business aspects of the company for over 40 years, until they retired in 2006. They also farmed in rural Cherryvale and Morehead.

Active in the community and many service organizations, LaVerna served as; 4-H leader, Chamber of Commerce member, Beta Sigma Phi Women’s Association member, election poll volunteer, rural volunteer fire department support, and Morehead Cemetery board member. One of many service projects LaVerna organized included the cleanup and revitalization of Logan Park in Cherryvale.

With a strong interest in history and pride in her community, LaVerna researched the authorship of the Pledge of Allegiance controversy. Her research tied Cherryvale native Frank Bellamy with the writing of the Pledge and led her to organizing the memorial located at Logan Park commemorating his life and achievements. In addition, after hours of meticulous research, she with Jim, created a veteran’s memorial at Morehead Cemetery honoring all area veterans.

LaVerna is survived by; her daughter, Carol Huneycutt Ehlers and son-in-law Brent Ehlers of Storm Lake, Iowa; daughter Teresa Paul and son-in-law Randy Paul of Mt. Vernon, Missouri; four grandchildren, Austin James Ehlers and his wife Taylor of Storm Lake, Iowa; Joshua Alstatt and his wife Allyson of Kansas City, Missouri; Anna Marie Ehlers of Columbus, Ohio and Alex Paul of Mt. Vernon, Missouri; one great-grandchild, Magnolia LaVerna-Lea Ehlers, of Storm Lake, Iowa, Brother-in-Law Gary Huneycutt, of Gateway, Arkansas and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Jay D. Hicks, and Quincy E. Hicks.

Visitation under the direction of Wickham Funeral Home in Cherryvale will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Hazeldell Southern Baptist Church with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at the Morehead Cemetery. Lunch will be served following the service. Memorial donations in memory of LaVerna may be made payable to Hazeldell Southern Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be shared at: https://www.wickhamfamilyfuneralhome.com