LaVita Bolyard, 72, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, formerly of Bluford, Illinois passed away on September 29, 2021 at her residence. She was born July 9, 1949 in Centralia, Illinois to the late Warren and Verna-Dean (Shelton) Taylor. LaVita first married Gene Bolyard in 1972 and they later divorced.

LaVita is survived by her son, Wayne Bolyard and significant other, Sara Morgan of Bluford; grandchildren, Thomas James Clark, Eleanor Bolyard, and Cassandra Bolyard; siblings, Dean Taylor and wife, Laura of Bluford and Barbara Winkleman and husband, Lloyd of Bluford; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, LaVita was preceded in death by her aunts, EvaLena Wilson and, Norma Thomason; sister-in-law, Cathy Taylor; grandparents; and nephew, Donald Ray Williams.

LaVita graduated from Webber Township High School in 1968. She was a member of the Health Circle, the CWC at Bluford Church of God, Southside Baptist Church, Red Hats Society, and the American Legion in Bluford. She loved playing the dominos game “train” with her family for many years. LaVita will be greatly missed.

A Visitation will be held Friday, October 1, 2021 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow at East Hickory Hill Cemetery in Bluford, Illinois.

Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-246-0100 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.