LaVonne Critchley Pearce

LaVonne Critchley Pearce July 14, 1937 – March 11, 2025

LaVonne Critchley Pearce, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025, in St. George, Utah. She was born July 14, 1937, to Ferris James and Lilian Florence Parkin Critchley in Pocatello, Idaho, the third of five children.

She attended Roosevelt Elementary, Franklin Junior High, and Pocatello High School. After high school graduation, she met and married Alton Vail Later on August 2, 1957, in the Idaho Falls Temple. She welcomed her first son, Scott Ferris Later, on June 17, 1958. After a lengthy illness, her husband passed away on January 2, 1960, leaving LaVonne to raise Scott on her own. LaVonne’s older sister, Jerry, was teaching at Brigham Young High School in Provo, Utah and offered to have LaVonne and Scott come and live with her, while LaVonne attended Brigham Young University. LaVonne graduated from BYU in 1964 – as a single mother - and returned to Pocatello where she began her career as an elementary teacher.

In 1966, while working on a political campaign – a lifetime passion of hers – LaVonne met C. Kelly Pearce. She and Kelly were married on March 22, 1967, and remained married until her death. She gave birth to her second son, David, on April 2, 1970.

LaVonne was a life-long educator, teaching elementary age groups in Pocatello (Jefferson and Tendoy Elementary), Lava Hot Springs (Lava Elementary), and Boise (Collister Elementary). She retired after having taught for over thirty years.

Family was always a priority for LaVonne. She was devoted to her husband and sons and was the personification of a momma bear. She loved playing card games, spending time in Island Park, doting on her grandchildren, going on trips with them and attending their athletic events. But “Family” wasn’t limited to her husband and sons. Family included her beloved parents, siblings, grandchildren and all of her many nieces and nephews. She enjoyed spending time with, opening her house to, and helping all of them whenever and wherever she could.

She was also a dedicated, life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Next to her family, her testimony and belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ was her most prized possession. She enjoyed serving in the Church in Young Women, Primary and Relief Society. After retirement, she served a three-year mission for the Church in the Office of the Idaho Area Presidency.

LaVonne is survived by her husband Kelly, her sons Scott (Susan), David (Alison), grandchildren Kelsi Patton (Jeff), Lexi Schneider (Collin), Reagan, JD and Harrison, 2.5 great-grandkids, sisters Thelma Euniece Robinson, Donna Jean (Earl) Cluff; and brother Ferris James (Jim) (Pat) Critchley, Jr. She was preceded in death by her parents Ferris and Florence Critchley, her sister Geraldine (Jerry), husband Alton and brother-in-law Jimmy Robinson.

A visitation will be held on March 13, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 7 at the McArthur Funeral Home in St. George.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at the LDS Church located in Lava Hot Springs, with a viewing one-hour prior.

In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/salt-lake-city/about-us/ways-to-give