COLUMBUS — Laverne Lavender Ellis, 64, died Dec. 20, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, at Word Church International in Crawford, with Bobby Lee Sanders officiating. Visitation is from 4-6 p.m. Friday at Carter’s Funeral Services. Carter’s Funeral Services of Columbus is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Ellis was born Jan. 17, 1961, in Columbus, to the late Orange L. Wells and Frankie Lee Lavender. She was a member of Glenn Chapel CME Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Frances Bradford, Wanda Lavender and Roxanne Gandy.

She is survived by her children, Yanci Lavender, Quincy Lavender, Joseph Ellis Jr. and Jarvis Ellis, all of Columbus; siblings, Charlie Lavender, Willie Lavender, Michael Gandy, Kathaleen Richardson, Takeylh Patmon, Roxie Staples, Marilyn Tate, Kimberly Tate and Elizabeth Tate, all of Columbus; and 12 grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Larry Williams, Jareion Hill, Justin Hill, Montreal Averhart, Samuel Allen and Cordarius Stewart.