LaWana Hamblin
LaWana Mackley Hamblin, age 78 of Sullivan, MO, passed away Saturday, November 9, 2019 at her home, surrounded by family.
LaWana Mackley was born on October 18, 1941 in Arco, ID, the daughter of Elmer Holmes and Bertha Elizabeth (Makin) Mackley. She grew up and attended school in the Arco area and went on to attend the Brigham Young University, Fresno State College and Missouri Baptist University. LaWana was a life-long learner and obtained a Master’s Degree in Education when she was 68 years young. LaWana was united in marriage to Theo “Ted” Dewayne Hamblin on June 1, 1963 at the Idaho Falls LDS Temple and together they raised their family of eight children: Todd, Paula, Karyn, John, Chris, Jeff, Linda and David. They resided in Utah, Nevada and California, before moving to Missouri in 1987 and making their home in Sullivan. LaWana taught special education at the Sullivan Elementary School for many years before retiring in 2013. Sadly, Ted passed away in 2010.
LaWana was a premium homemaker; she enjoyed sewing and canning, but spending time with her grandchildren and baking with them was her favorite thing to do. She also loved plants and flowers and was known for her “master green thumb”. LaWana was always interested in family history and enjoyed doing service in her church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sullivan. She served an 18-month mission at the Family History Headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT from 2016 – 2018. LaWana was also very active in her community; she served as Stake Relief Society Counselor, Relief Society President, Seminary Teacher, Primary Teacher, Cub Scout Leader and Stake young Women Camp Director. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her family and many friends.
LaWana is survived by seven children: Todd Hamblin and wife, Shana, of Dayton, NV, Paula Kern and husband, Ben, of Turlock, CA, Karyn Manumaleuna and husband, Lafi, of Eureka, MO, John Hamblin and wife, Mary, of Sullivan, MO, Chris Richards and wife, Shelley, of Wentzville, MO, Linda Voelkel and husband, Ben, of St. Peters, MO, and David Hamblin and wife, Amanda, of Sullivan, MO; daughter-in-law, Becky Hamblin (wife of Jeff) of Sullivan, MO; 35 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; three sisters: Jan Brown of Burley, ID, Irene Lawson of Idaho Falls, ID, and Mary Beth Brown of Payson, UT; one brother, Bill Mackley of Bremerton, WA; nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Theo Dewayne Hamblin; one son, Jeff Hamblin; one granddaughter, Devree Hamblin; and her parents, Elmer Holmes and Bertha Elizabeth (Makin) Mackley.
Funeral Services were conducted 10 a.m., Saturday, November 16, 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sullivan, MO, officiated by Brother Dean Matthews. Burial followed in Bourbon Cemetery, Bourbon, MO.
Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m., Friday, November 15, 2019 at Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, MO.
Memorial contributions in LaWana’s memory may be made to: Suicide Prevention and/or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Friends may send online condolences to LaWana’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.
All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan, MO.