Lavada Spears Person, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, passed away serenely, surrounded by family, at her home in Huntsville, Alabama, July 29, 2025, following a long battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was 70 years old.

Born on December 2, 1954, in Columbia, South Carolina and raised in Huntsville and Madison Alabama, Lavada was the cherished daughter of the late Albert P. Spears and Virginia C. Spears.

She grew up with a vibrant spirit and joyful heart, and she shared her light from a young age as friend to many. That same loving nature carried through her entire life, most especially in the way she adored and cared for her own family.

Lavada had a remarkable gift: she could always see the rosy side. Her optimism was more than a mindset — it was a way of life. Throughout years of chronic illnesses, she met each moment with grace, faith, and unwavering positivity.

Lavada is survived by her devoted husband CW3 (Retired) USA Fred Person, and by her children Jacob Holt (Tiffany), Jana Holt Guidry (Tone), Lauren Person Osborne (Jamie), and Derek Person (Mandy). She was a proud and loving grandmother to Grant Holt (Chloe), Tanner Holt (Ashleigh), Autumn Guidry, Katelyn Guidry, Rowan Osborne, Phoebe Osborne, Bryce Person, Cristian Person, Addison Person, Dawson Person, Hailey Person and Emily Person. Her joy was multiplied with the arrival of her great-granddaughter, Wrenlee Holt. She is also survived by her brother, Preston Spears (Cindy), and her sisters, Bonnie Robinson (Tom) and Gayle Spears Ellis (Kelly), along with a host of extended family and friends who were blessed by knowing her.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 8, at Berryhill Funeral Home, Huntsville, Alabama from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, with service immediately following in the chapel at 11:00 am. Lavada will be interred at Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo, Alabama in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in Lavada's honor to Russel Hill Cancer Foundation at Clearview Cancer Institute , Huntsville, Alabama.