Elizabeth Adaline "Addy" Van Deventer

Elizabeth Adaline Addy Van Deventer, 94, of Visalia passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 10, 2013, surrounded by her family. Elizabeth Adaline Awbrey was born June 11, 1919, in Exeter to Coleman and Zayda Awbrey, the youngest of four. She graduated from Strathmore Union High School in 1936 and moved to San Francisco to go to beauty school. She returned to the central valley and went to work in Visalia as a beautician. In 1940 she married JC Tex Van Deventer and together they built and operated Oak Patch Golf Course. When Addy wasnt busy raising her three children, she volunteered in the Conyer Elementary School PTA, served as a Girl Scout Leader, and was an active member in the First Christian Church. After selling the golf course in 1974, she worked as a bookkeeper in an insurance office and later for Phillips Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning until her retirement in 1990. She enjoyed playing golf with all her friends at Oak Patch and later Exeter Public Golf Course, playing a few times a week clear into her mid-nineties. She was also an avid Bridge player. Addy was a devoted wife, loving mother, and faithful friend. She is survived by brother, Keith Awbrey of Strathmore; her children, Sharyn Crosat and her husband Al of Menlo Park, Patty Colson of Tulare, and Rodney Van Deventer and his wife Ann of Visalia; her grandchildren, Craig Colson, Jackie Jensen, Charlie Van Deventer, Cris Colson, Jeremy Van Deventer, Lindsey Peyton, Leighann Van Deventer, and Keri Van Deventer; 15 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and her many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, her sister Lura Sellick, and her brother Arlo Awbrey. The Van Deventer family would like to personally Thank all of her care givers, including Casa Grande Senior Care Homes, Kaweah Delta Home Care Services, Optimal Hospice Care, and especially Barbara and John at Cambridge House Estates. Graveside service will be held Thursday, October 17, 2013, at 12:30 pm at the Visalia Public Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Optimal Hospice Care; the American Heart Association; or to the International Agri-Center for the Antique Farm Equipment Museum and Ag-Ventures.