Lavinia "Beanie" Albright, of Monticello, Fla., went to her Eternal Home surrounded by the love of family on Sunday morning, Oct. 16, 2022, at her home. Lavinia celebrated her 100th birthday in June and was able to enjoy the milestone with family and friends.
Beanie was born on June 29, 1922, in Morgantown, W. Va., to Charles and Josie Field Herring. After the untimely death of her father, young Lavinia was raised by her mother and her loving step-father Russell J. Robinson.
Lavinia met the love of her life, Earl Lavan Albright, on a blind date and married him on June 27, 1942, right before he left for the war. While Earl was serving in World War II, Lavinia worked in the converted Heinz factory, in Pittsburg, helping to make glider wings for the lightweight planes used in the war. She was considered one of the "Rosie the Riveter" followers. After Earl returned home, they settled down and started their family, having two daughters, Donna and Linda.
Beanie was a very creative lady, and it showed in everything she did. She loved preparing wonderful meals for family and friends. Baking, sewing beautiful dresses and costumes for her girls, and making her own patterns much of the time. She saw the beauty in all of God's creation and enjoyed being involved in it all. She loved flower gardening and enjoyed sharing cut flowers with friends but also used her flowers in dried arrangements and pressed-flower artwork. She was a member of the Morgantown Art Association for several years and exhibited her passion for painting landscapes and nature, often selling them or gifting them to friends and family.
In the late 1980s, Earl and Beanie followed their girls to Florida, residing first in Titusville and then relocating to Monticello in 2010. Lavinia's membership remained with St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Titusville.
Beanie is preceded in death by her husband, Earl; and daughter, Linda Kay Shattuck. She is survived by her daughter, Donna Brumfield (Bill); her sister, Alice Jean Crow, of Titusville, Fla.; and by her grandchildren, Dawna Kay Bennett (Jamie), Ashley Jones, Amber Stewart (Michael), Heather Rush (Eddie) and Bryan Shattuck. Beanie is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, including Claire, who loves to tell people she is an artist like her grandma.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Oakfield Cemetery in Monticello. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Lavinia's memory to Big Bend Hospice, Samaritan's Purse, or Doctors without Borders.
