Mrs. Joan C. Avery, 71, of Elizabethton, went home to be with her Lord, on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at her home following a courageous battle with cancer.
She was the daughter of the late Shannon and Josie James Richmond and was born in Carter County. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by six brothers, Lloyd Craig, Shannon Richmond, Sonny Richmond, John W. James, Jackie Craig and Ross Craig.
Mrs. Avery was a former employee of Tetrick Funeral Home in Elizabethton and an avid UT fan. She attended St. Paul United Methodist Church. She had many friends and will be missed by all.
Mrs. Avery is survived by three sons, James Avery and his wife, Linda, Danny Avery and his wife, Pam, all of Elizabethton, and Teddy Avery and his wife, Susan, Mount Carmel, Tenn.; five sisters, Bernice Myrick, Pauline Neeley, Margaret Hagler, Betty F. McFarland, all of Elizabethton, and Hildred Davis of New York; two brothers, Richard Richmond and George Richmond, Elizabethton; eight grandchildren, Takisha Avery, Channa Williams, Danny Joe Avery, T.J. Avery, Courtney Avery, Jessica Hobbs, Zachary Ball and Jeremiah Ball; six great-grandchildren; an aunt, Thelma Avery, Roan Mountain; three cousins, Doris Forney, Sandra Randall and Odessa Johnson; special friends, the Carrier Family, the Susan Howell Family, Wanda and Richard Avery, Charlie and Pat Middleton and Family, Richard and Norma Tetrick and Family, Don Tetrick, Leon and Nancy Hood and Family, the Vandergriff Family, Peggy Byrd, Pearl Smith and Family, Lynnwood and Diane Barfield and Family, Marvella and Jasper Williams and Family, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
The Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Avery will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, May 11, in the Chapel of Peace of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Terrance Turner and Rev. Jeanette Clark officiating. Music will be under the direction of Odessa Johnson. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, prior to the service, and at the home at other times. The graveside service and interment will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 12, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Dillard Richmond, Brandon Bass, Zachary Ball, Jeremiah Ball, Danny Joe Avery and David Rhea. Honorary pallbearers will be John Gillespie, Dr. Jonathan Bremer and the staff of the McLeod Blood and Cancer Center. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. Saturday to go in procession to the cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book or by fax to (423) 542-9499.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Avery family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.
