Obituary List

Our sweet Colleen; daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and sister in Christ, left her earthy body on November 22, 2024, and is asleep in Jesus. Until the trumpet sounds, Jesus returns, and we meet him in the sky, we will miss her.
She was born to Jerry Joe and Marydell Phillips, née Cole, on July 28th, 1962 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As their first child, Colleen basked in her role as older sister, first to Jerry Clifford in 1965, and then to Andy Littleton in 1969.

On January 19, 1985, she married Charles Stephen Lavery. Within the year Steve signed up for military service, and Colleen spent the next six years as a Navy wife. After the first year of training in Virginia, they were stationed in Charleston, SC. While Steve was at sea, onboard a submarine, and absent from home for three months at a time, Colleen would frequently spend that time in Lake City, Fl. where she had close family and friends. They welcomed their first son Charles Matthew in 1991 and their second son Joseph Aaron in 1998. Colleen loved life as a mother and homemaker. Knowing no greater purpose than to raise her children to love God, and prepare them to be with him forever: just as she was raised by her parents.

After their time in the service they relocated first to Fernandina Beach, and then to Lake City. After a trip to Miami where Steve’s father was living, they moved
there. Steve took a job with Christian Homes for Children, and through the Children’s Home Society they became foster parents on an emergency basis for
drug addicted babies. Colleen fondly recalled those days. She enjoyed caring for the babies that frequently became a part of their lives. Colleen had a heart for service, and she continued to help new mothers with babies any chance she got.
In 2007 they moved to Tallahassee and placed membership at Meridian Woods Church of Christ, where most of her activities revolved around the church and the people she came to know there. She joined a weekly ladies Bible study, and would lead the prayer at the beginning of each class. She was a regular at the frequent Dominoes game with some of these same sisters, and would often attend the ladies monthly luncheon.

That same year Colleen took a part time job as a dog walker. As a longtime animal lover, this was more of a pleasure than a concerted effort. Through her
friendship with Judy and Louise Henderson she joined in activities at the Senior Center, going on field trips and becoming a long time participant in the Friends
group.

Many of her established childhood activities continued into her adult life. Having learned to play the piano as a child, Colleen often entertained herself on the keyboard at home. She love to draw, and her sketches frequently reflected her appreciation for the Peanuts comic strip characters. Animals, both real and imagined brought her great joy. Over the last several years, often being home bound, she was comforted in the company of her dogs Galen and Gizmo, Guinea pig Gadget, and parakeet, Tweetie. They gave her much pleasure and love, which she returned in kind.

Until her RA made it too painful, Colleen enjoyed gardening and taking care of the yard. Blooming flowers in the yard brought a smile to her face, as did her many houseplants. Especially her African violets and poinsettias. They were her favorites.

Colleen was a precocious reader as a child, and as an adult it was one of her favorite pastimes. She was influenced by, and shared a love of books with her
father. They read serious intrigue and mystery novels, no fluff or cotton candy books for them! They called themselves the Murdering Book Club. In the more
than eleven years since his death, she dearly missed their frequent discussions. The gift of reading was so important to Colleen that she taught her youngest
brother Andy to read when he was just three. For many years Colleen has also belonged to the Inspirational Book Club with a group of her Christian sisters. Though she mostly met with them through zoom the last several years, she looked forward to the varied discussions.

She delighted in her Saturday morning date with Steve. They started with breakfast at Chick-Fil-A, and then to Publix for grocery shopping. Colleen made
friends everywhere she went. Each week she would engage people in conversation, and catch up with them the following Saturday. Those who knew
her well, were entertained by her keen sense of humor and casual joking manner.

Colleen is survived by her mother, Marydell Phillips; husband, Stephen Lavery; sons, Matthew Lavery and Aaron Lavery; brother, Andy (Jennifer)
Phillips; nephews, Georgie Miller and Chance Phillips; niece, Cheyanne Phillips; aunts, Emily Cole and Jan Bates (Willard); brother-in-laws, Rick (Sherri) Lavery and Chris Lavery; sister-in-laws, Eleanor Lavery and Theresa Lavery. She leaves many cousins, including Sherril Jones who was like a sister to her; her church family, and numerous friends.

Special thanks to Colleen’s sisters in Christ, who lovingly cared for her during the last six months of her life; Martha, Karen, Mary, and Ginny. A special thanks to Karen who was by her side all the way from the first hint of cancer, and to her self-adopted “big brother” Mike, who provided a special song to start her
day. Colleen bloomed where she was planted, including in the hearts of many who came to know and love her.

She was preceded in death by her four grandparents, Lit and Edith Cole and Clifford and Nellie Phillips; father, Jerry Phillips; brother, Cliff Phillips; uncle, Johnny Cole; in-laws, Richard John and Patricia Mae Lavery III née Replogle; and brothers-in-laws, Bill Lavery and Tim Lavery.

Mary Colleen Lavery left us far sooner than we were ready, but we are glad there is no more pain and suffering. Her lifelong goal of spending eternity in heaven with God will be fulfilled, and we will see her again one day. On a regular basis Colleen acknowledged the people in her life and told them she loved them. To quote her, “I am blessed to have root people. I’ve got people in my life that no
matter what happens. I know they are there for me. I definitely have learned that life is too short to not have anybody in your life, except for the root people.” As
Colleen often wrote on her Facebook page; God gave us another day, let’s make this day count! Life is so precious, our God is so good, Love you!

A memorial service will take place at 1:00 pm Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Meridian Woods Church of Christ. At Colleen’s suggestion and request, later this month Steve, Matthew and Aaron
will take a trip to Chattanooga Tennessee. On Colleen and Steven’s 40th anniversary, they will spread her ashes on Lookout Mountain.

Cremation Services provided by ICS Cremation & Funeral Home, Lake City, FL.

Donations in her memory may be made to:
Tallahassee Senior Center Foundation, Upslide Program
1400 N Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32303
Https://www.tallahasseeseniorfoundation.org/make-one-time-gift/
Designate the gift in honor of Colleen Lavery.