Ellen La Verne Buchanan

Ellen LaVerne Buchanan went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 23, 2021, a few weeks short of her 96th birthday. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and passed away peacefully in her home. Laverne was born in Pittsfield, Illinois on January 11,1926 and had two brothers, one older and one younger. In high school she met the love of her life, Keith Edwin Buchanan and they were married on April 1, 1943. She accompanied her husband on several of his postings in the U.S. and abroad living for a while in Guatemala and the Netherlands. Together they had three children, the oldest Patricia Ann, the only son Kent Edwin, and the baby Connie Sue. The couple named Connie after the famed Lockheed Constellation, nicknamed "Connie", that Keith was a radio operator on during World War II. Laverne also leaves behind seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren with another one due in March of 2022. Laverne and Keith"s last posting was at Williams Air Force Base and the family settled in what would be their life long home in Mesa, Arizona. After retiring from the Air Force, Laverne and Keith opened several successful businesses including an Independent Insurance Agency, an Accounting Business and finally a Print Shop. Faith was an important part of their life, which they passed on to their children, and they were one of the founders and charter members of Trinity Baptist Church in Mesa. They were married for 68 years and left a legacy of Faith, Family and Work to their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Laverne stayed active after her husband"s death in 2011, walking daily and bowling weekly in a league that she participated in until just a few weeks before her passing. She will be sorely missed and long remembered but her family takes solace in the fact that she is home and reunited with her beloved husband, eldest daughter and son-in-law, and numerous other family members who preceded her in passing. In lieu of cards and flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Red Mountain Community Church-Raise Up Campaign that Laverne contributed to monthly for a new church building. Church growth and reaching others with the Good News was always a priority of Laverne and will continue long after her passing. Here"s to a life well lived and there is no doubt that when she arrived in heaven God welcomed her with "well done, my good and faithful servant."