A devoted public servant with decades of community contributions to his name will lead the annual lighted Greenville Christmas Parade. This year the officers and directors of the East Wayne County, Missouri Chamber of Commerce have chosen Lavern Daves of Silva as the Grand Marshal for the event, which begins 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1.
Lavern H. Daves, a native-born Wayne Countian, is a son of the late John and Rosa (Barker) Daves. For over 65 years he has dedicated his life to Wayne County and has been at the forefront of many community endeavors. An avid cattleman, he served in the Wayne County Livestock Producers Association several decades, aiding in the great success of the organization. He has supported the Wayne County Cattleman’s Association, the Wayne County Saddle Club and the Wayne County Historical Society. He has served the Greenville Alumni Association (Past President), the Wayne County Senate Bill 40 Board (treasurer), the Kirkpatrick Cemetery Association and the Wayne County Veterans Monument committee.
As a member of the Greenville Lions Club, he was instrumental in the success of many of the annual Greenville Labor Day Homecoming celebrations of the club. He has served as a longtime member and trustee of the New Prospect Baptist Church and cemetery at Silva and served as a sixty plus year member and past Worshipful Master of the Masonic fraternity in Greenville Lodge No. 107. Daves was elected the first Masonic Home Representative of the Lodge and was instrumental in coordinating with the Greenville R-II School District in developing the annual Keeping Kids Warm fundraiser. The annual event has raised thousands of dollars for coats and warm clothing for children in the Greenville and Williamsville campuses.
Daves has also performed the Masonic funeral ceremonies for many men of the Masonic fraternity over forty years. In addition, he served Wayne County as collector of revenue for seven terms, from 1967 to 1999, a Wayne County record to date.
In recent years he has been an avid supporter of Greenville Bears Sports, the Wayne County Nutrition Center and the East Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. For his many contributions to Wayne County he was elected to the inaugural inductees of the Wayne County Hall of Honor in 2021. The officers and board of directors of the East Wayne County Chamber of Commerce encourages everyone to come out to the parade and support this long-time community servant.