Lavonda Louise Rouse, 86, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, formerly of Piggott, Arkansas, Corning, Arkansas, and Branson, Missouri, passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026, at St. Bernards Medical Center.

Lavonda was born April 2, 1939, in Blytheville, Arkansas, to Taft Riggs and Violet Capell Riggs. Lavonda grew up in southeast Missouri and attended Deering School. She, along with all of her sisters, worked at the Ely Walker shirt factory in Kennett; it was there she made many lifelong friends. That's where she was working when she met the love of her life, Glenn. They eloped to Hernando, MS.

Her other jobs include several years as activities director at the then-called Home for the Golden Years nursing home in Piggott. She and Glenn moved to Corning in 1988, where she worked at Central Elementary School.

They retired to Branson, MO, and spent several years there making wonderful memories and friends there. In 2017, they moved to Jonesboro, AR, to be closer to family. Later that year Glenn passed away after 51 years of marriage. At the time of her passing, Lavonda was living at St. Bernard's Village assisted living.

Lavonda was an amazing cook with a skill for making chicken and dumplings better than anyone else! She enjoyed road trips, Hallmark movies, jigsaw puzzles, playing games, and spending time with her family.

She was of the Baptist faith, and trusted in Jesus as her Savior at an early age. As her health and independence declined, she longed to experience Heaven and reuniting with Glenn and Becky who went before. Her wish was granted as she passed peacefully with family at her side. Lavonda will be missed sorely, but we rejoice that she is with her Lord and loved ones with a healed body.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Eugene Rouse; her daughter, Rebecca Louise Speer; siblings: Mildred Pendergrass, Bonnie Stark, Charles Riggs, and Joe Riggs.

She is survived by two children: Sandra Jean Wurdeman of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Dr. Kevin Glenn Rouse (Dana) of Jonesboro, Arkansas. She is also survived by grandchildren: Rebekah Whittley (Lee), Jase Speer (Heather), Kylie Reynolds (Bobby), Madison Grissom (Seth), and Jackson Rouse (Ashley); and great-grandchildren: Keaton, Harleigh, Rebecca GraceLynn, Heath, Jai, Gabe, Katelynn, and Desmond. Additional survivors include her two sisters: Phyllis Blankenship (Jimmy) and Thresa Wilson, both of Kennett, Missouri.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 2, 2026, at Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home in Piggott, with funeral services beginning at 2:00 p.m. with David Richey officiating. Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home of Piggott, Arkansas, is in charge of arrangements. Graveside burial at Piggott Cemetery will be pending due to weather conditions.