LaVonne M. Dobson
LaVonne M. Dobson, of Beaumont died peacefully in her home surrounded by her children on Friday August 30, 2024, at the age of 93. LaVonne was born in 1930 to Neva Little Mattison and Dr. Edwin L. Mattison in Wilmington, Delaware.
LaVonne was a patient, determined, fearless and motivated woman. She had a passion for her family, for children and for education. She was a lifelong learner and loved going to school. Her early married life was busy raising twin daughters and a son along with the added work of changing households every few years to follow her husband’s work.
Their first move was from Memphis, Tennessee to Hamburg, New York. Her husband went ahead to start his job. LaVonne stayed behind to pack up their belongings, sell the house and then drive with her three young ones, in the middle of a snowy winter, to join him! She taught her children to ice skate on frozen ponds and walked them to school, even when the snowbanks on the side of the road were a tall as her! Four years later there was another move to East Greenwich, Rhode Island and then four years later to Mobile, Alabama.
While living in Mobile, LaVonne experienced the Montessori philosophy in action while working at a church preschool. She admired and appreciated the entire educational agenda of Dr. Maria Montessori and wanted to start her own Montessori preschool. She went back to school, earned her Montessori Certification in 1971, and then opened up her first preschool, The Discovery School.
Going to work and school required transportation, so LaVonne purchased a convertible MG-A, black with a white stripe down the back! She loved that car and so did her children. They all learned to drive the sporty stick shift with her patience, laughter and good humor!
Another move in 1973 brought the family to Mt. Kisco, New York, an hour’s train ride from Manhattan. Her twins were away at college and her son was in high school and her husband was busy traveling with work and of course, playing golf. The move to Mt. Kisco required her to close her Discovery School in Mobile. After putting college on hold for marriage and family, LaVonne used this opportunity to enroll at Pace University where she earned her B.S. Degree. She then opened up her second Montessori preschool where she honed her skills as an educator.
In 1981, she and her husband had one final move as he took a job in Beaumont. LaVonne was so disappointed to leave New York just as her new school was thriving. LaVonne was always an optimist. She went back to school and earned her Social Work Diploma at Lamar University. In 1996, she again opened up another school, The Montessori School on 11th Street where she worked until now.
Over the years, she and her husband made time to travel to most of the world’s continents. Their trip highlights include South Africa, a safari in the Kruger National Park, walking the Great Wall of China, a Yangtze River boat cruise through the Three Gorges Locks and Dam. They attended Christmas Eve Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, climbed the Incan Pyramids with the llamas in Machu Picchu, saw the Imperial Fabergé Eggs at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia and then enjoyed a beautiful full moon in Red Square. While there, they witnessed the incredible architecture in several of the underground train stations while on their way to the spectacular Bolshoi Theater for an evening presentation of the majestic Swan Lake Ballet.
LaVonne even found time to raise bees in Beaumont and travelled to Poland to visit and learn from a Master Beekeeper.
For 53 years, LaVonne’s passion was providing children with the life skills to become happy, normalized and successful citizens. She will be greatly missed by hundreds of successful graduates.
LaVonne is survived by her children, Neva Yearwood and her husband, Kip, of Mineola, Texas; Yvonne Currie of St. Charles, Missouri; and Dr. Chris Dobson II and his wife, Becky, of Orland, Florida.
She is also survived by four grandchildren, Drs. Rachel Admire and her husband, Beau; Russell Currie and his wife, Kimberly Wright; Dr. Brittany Dobson; Dr. Garrett Dobson; as well as seven great grandchildren, Jolie, Emilia, Lilette, Martha, Oliver, Emma, Asher and many students, friends and loved ones.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of sixty-eight years, Christopher Edouard Dobson; and her brothers, Louis E. Mattison and Edwin C. Mattison.
The family gives special thanks to the doctors and nurses of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Altus Hospice and the wonderful care givers from Monteballo Home Health, Phylicia and Tori as well as care givers from Synergy, LaTosha and Kenisha for their kindness and care of LaVonne.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
A gathering of Mrs. Dobson’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., in the Cloister Room, with her memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 5, 2024, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont. Her cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.

Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
The Cloister Room at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
- 680, Calder Ave, Beaumont, TX, 77701,
- October 5, 2024
- 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Memorial Service
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
- 680, Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas, 77701,
- October 5, 2024
- 11:00 am
What a fun and adventurous life Lavonne had. I met Lavonne while we were both students in the Social Work program at Lamar. She was one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met.
Condolences to her family and friends.
My prayers are with you all. Mrs Dobson always was a joy to speak with and was always so patient when I would take care of the animals. The times that her and Mr Dobson would arrive early from a trip and I would run into her pet sitting – she was always so nice and kind with encouraging words for me. May she rest in Peace.