Mr. Lavarne Ross

ROSS, Mr. Lavarne - Age 83, passed away Friday, August 2, 2024, at his residence. Memorial service will be held at the Flint Institute of Arts, 1120 E. Kearsley St., Flint, MI 49503 12 Noon on Saturday, August 10, 2024. There will be an L.Ross Community Celebration of Life Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM at the Greater Flint Arts Council, 816 S. Saginaw St open to the public. Mr. Ross will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., Friday, August 9, 2024, and may be viewed from 10 AM to 4:00 PM. Our beloved Lavarne Ross was born January 1, 1941, in Flint, Michigan, to Annie Lee Luckado and Ed Ross, Jr. He attended Flint Public Schools all of his life and graduated from Flint Northern High School in 1960, where his passion, love, and appreciation for art, and his God-given gift, were nurtured. He sold his first piece of art to his neighbor, Ms. Willa Mae, a painting made from old fabric window shades, at the age of 12. After graduating, he moved to Chicago and worked at the University of Chicago’s Art School. Lavarne’s heart was always in Flint, the city he loved. His love for his hometown compelled him to return home. His art, which often depicted historical references about the city, family life, ancestry, music, and his unwavering faith, was a testament to his deep connection with Flint. Upon his return to Flint, he began working at Hurley Medical Center. Lavarne’s love and compassion for people was expressed through his interactions with patients and coworkers. In 1965, he married Carol Boone, and five children were born to that union. He began working at AC Spark Plug, a division of General Motors, in 1966 until he retired in 1998. He began doing pastel portraits of coworkers and their families and pets. This experience was an opportunity to showcase his God-given gift. General Motors leadership took notice of his incredible talent and commissioned him to create murals on the factory walls. He worked with Mott Community College to help develop a community center, transforming the historic Father Blasko Hall into the McCree Theatre, named after Flint’s first Black mayor, Floyd J. McCree. Although he was very humble about his talent, his art, with the red signature “L. Ross” in the bottom right-hand corner, can be found all over the world and has been featured in blockbuster films. His art can be viewed all over Flint, including Hurley Medical Center, McLaren Hospital, the 7th Judicial Circuit Court building, Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, The New McCree Theatre, and an array of other locations. Lavarne dedicated his life to Jehovah and was baptized in 1974, recognizing that “the drawing near to Jehovah was good for him.” (Psalms 73:28). His service as an Elder in the Belleaire Woods congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses was a testament to his deep love for Jehovah, and for Jehovah’s people, a role he faithfully fulfilled for over 35 years. His love for sharing his faith was evident in his interactions with people, as he seized every opportunity to witness and talk about his faith. Lavarne was not just an artist, but a historian and master storyteller. He had a unique way of explaining the purpose of each of his original paintings, sharing the stories behind his art with anyone who would listen. His love for his family and community was profound and evident in his art. He cherished countless opportunities to honor his family and loved ones with his creativity, using his storytelling skills to bring his art to life. His passion for helping younger generations was fueled by his experiences with teachers who dismissed his passion and told him to work in the factory. He was always eager and willing to make an appearance at his grandchildren’s art classes at their schools throughout Genesee County. He touched every generation. He was an incredible art instructor, helping even the youngest generations understand that they needed to start their drawings in the middle of the paper. He leaves to cherish his loving memory: devoted and loving wife of almost 25 years, Dina Lavon Ross of Mt. Morris, Michigan. Five children: Kenneth Ross, of Pearland, Texas; Keith (Sheila) Ross of Grand Blanc, Michigan; Kimberly Ross of Pearland, Texas; Kevin Ross of Hapeville, Georgia; and Kristopher Ross of Flint; Bonus children Eguono “Uno” (Christopher) Ponius of Novi, Michigan; Keir (Aisha) Foster of Dearborn, Michigan; Tonya Woods of Sousa, Dominican Republic, Marcus (Kelly) Rankins of Grand Blanc, Michigan; and Andrae (Joyce) Hickmon of Gilbert, Arizona; sisters Aneta (Danny) Wilkerson, of Flint; Juanita (Laurence) Wells of Flushing, Michigan; brother James Campbell of Mt. Morris, Michigan; sister Ruby Ross-Ernest (Tony), of Franklin, TN; sisters V. Ruthie (Milas) Caudle, of Flint; Vivian Ross-Stocker (Warren) of Hercules, California; brothers Jason Ross of Detroit, Michigan; Shawn (Veronica) Ross of Canton, Michigan; sister-in-law Jethene Ross of Flushing, Michigan; 25 Grandchildren: Alyssa, Tyler, Kelsey; Kortez (Mariah), Laci, Keera, Shaterra; Koesha, Koran (Equaysha); Kah’tia (Johnny), Jasmine; Ka’Nari, Kendris, and J’dyn; Bonus Grandchildren: JoVonnie, Jaylin; Jadon, Nalia; Drew, Jax; Taylor, Christopher; Nakyla, Elisha and Nyko; 11 Great-Grandchildren: Courtney, Delano, Karielle, Madison, Angela, Karter, Dominic, Keith, Kameron, Keris, and Kyiir. Bonus Mom, Mrs. Lottie Ross; Uncle Candy Jones, Jr.; Aunts Berthola Ross-Altheimer, and JoAnn Ross-Jordan; a host of loving cousins, other relatives, and friends, including special cousins Fred and Kimberly Ross and close friends Donny Mayfield, Oliver McGhee, and Teddy “Teddy Bear” Chandler. He was preceded in death by his Grandmother, Nancy Luckado; father, Ed Ross, Jr.; mother, Annie Luckado-Campbell; sister, Gail Campbell-Lemon; brother, Don Ross; sister-in-law Ernestine Campbell; former wife, Carolyn Ross; daughter-in-law Dawn Ross; niece Desiree Jones; grandson Kaylon Ross; Bonus daughter Kenyatta Foster; special Aunt Doriscene Ross-Jones, and special cousin Doug Altheimer. A very special thank you to Dr. E. Saeed and staff for many years of consistent and loving care, Heartland Hospice, Shirlene Williams, who proved to be our “ram in the bush,” many times during our arduous journey. To our sweet cousins Melissa Brown and Daria Ross, for all their help with this program and coordination, and the dear brothers and sisters in the Belleaire Woods and Grand Blanc congregations, our family thanks you for your love and support, which has helped us to endure in this most difficult time. Services can be live streamed at: http://www.youtube.com/@asantelucas931 Services can be viewed VIA ZOOM: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89113934803?pwd=cVB5mKUuZ2zv7fCsb7YWFX8oSmaZEx.1 Meeting ID: 891 1393 4803 Passcode: 111941

Mr. Lavarne Ross

January 1, 1941 - August 2, 2024