LaVonda Gayle Preuit

Born in Deming, NM, on July 11, 1945, LaVonda Gayle Franklin Preuit passed this life on Tuesday, July 31, 2024 at her home surrounded by family.There will be a public viewing at 9:30 a.m. with services to follow at 10 a.m. August 5, 2024 at Las Cruces Church of Christ, 2025 N. Valley, Las Cruces, NM. There will then be a noon burial service at Garden of Memories Cemetery (Hatch Cemetery) followed by a reception immediately afterward at the Church of Christ of Hatch Annex, 307 Adams Street in Hatch.As a child, the family lived in Texas and Southern New Mexico before finally settling in Hatch for her senior year of high school. She graduated from Hatch High School in 1963 and started working at Hatch Mercantile Co. and the local movie theater.She worked at the Hanes factory in Las Cruces, where she eventually moved, and in 1971 on New Year’s Day, she met the love her her life, Terry Preuit. They wed in Hatch at the Church of Christ on Nov. 30, 1973. LaVonda worked as a data processor and in payroll for the College of Business and then as a secretary for the College of Education at New Mexico State University with the exception of a 2-year hiatus when the couple lived in Roswell. She retired from NMSU in 2000.LaVonda was preceded in death by her parents, Lucille and William Franklin, and seven siblings: Norma Jeannene Tudor, Rue Berta Allen, Donna Kay Patton, Jo Nell Weathers, Helen Joyce Hendrix, James Delbert Franklin and Fredrick Dean Franklin.She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Terry Preuit and many adoring nieces, nephews and their offspring, not to mention her beloved dog Boo. She was a kind soul and a blessing to all who knew her. She will forever be remembered for her sense of style and her smile, which would light up a room, and her love of family get-togethers. LaVonda was a member of the University Church of Christ and later an active member of the Las Cruces Church of Christ. Pallbearers will be Kody Franklin, Sadie Franklin, Michael Grijalva Jr., Larry Preuit, Lynn Paul Preuit, Ken Needham and Dave Wilcox. Honorary pallbearers are Kambrie Franklin and Kodi Lu Franklin.The funeral will be conducted by Getz Funeral Home in Las Cruces.