Wilbur Charles Leverett

Wilbur Charles Leverett, age 94, of Lamar, passed away Sunday, August 8, 2010, at Truman Healthcare Center.        Wilbur was born July 8, 1916, in Galena, Missouri, to Charley and Mary Ann (Lundy) Leverett.  The Leveretts were a musical family and Wilbur and his younger brother, Homer, mastered the ukulele, banjo, fiddle and guitar at an early age.  Calling themselves “The Original Ozark Hillbillies” they first performed in 1930 at the Gilloiz Theater in Springfield and the original Branson Theater, beginning a career that would span four decades.  In 1933, they moved to Lamar, and in 1934 switched from theater stages to churches.  As musical evangelists, they performed in nearly all 50 states and Canada.  They made and sold many records, the last one in 1970 when they were on the Hee Haw television show.  They were favorite performers of the famous Missouri artist, Thomas Hart Benton, who painted their portrait which still hangs in the Whitney Museum in New York City.  When Homer’s health began to deteriorate in 1970, the brothers gave up their long career on the road and retired to Lamar.        Survivors include his son, Ralph C. Leverett, Jackson, Tennessee; a granddaughter, Heather Leverett, Nashville, Tennessee; and a grandson, Daniel Leverett, also of Nashville.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Charley & Mary Ann Leverett, and his brother, Homer Leverett.        A graveside funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 10th at Lake Cemetery with Rev. Larry Garfield officiating.