Samuel Thomas "Tom" Avera, Sr., age 95, passed away at his home on June 21, 2016. Born in Johnston County on April 4, 1921, he was the son of the late William David and Carrie Olivia Allen Avera. Tom was the last surviving of 11 children. He attended Edwards Military Institute in Pineland, NC and Auburn University in Alabama. He was married to the late Evelyn Southerland Avera. He was also preceded in death by his youngest son, William Fountain Avera.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 26 at 3:00 PM in the First Presbyterian Church in Smithfield with Rev. Joe Hester officiating. The family will receive friends at 1469 Cleveland Road, Smithfield, NC Saturday evening beginning at 6:00 PM.
Surviving are his children, Emma Alice Avera Gemmell and husband Andy, Samuel Thomas Avera, Jr. and wife Marinda, Charles Southerland Avera, Susan Avera Booker and husband John; daughter-in-law Ingrid Reynolds Avera; grandchildren Anna McGee Avera Kiggins, Allen Michael Avera, Brandy Avera Vannoy, Carrie Dale Avera Purnell, Ashley Jane Avera, William Reynolds Avera, Jackson Booker, and Olivia Avera Booker; and great grandchildren, Matthew Vannoy, Jack Thomas Vannoy, Noah Kiggins, Lilly Kiggins and Bo Purnell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Evelyn S. Avera Scholarship Fund, c/o First Presbyterian Church, 215 S. 3rd St., Smithfield, NC 27577.
Samuel Thomas "Tom" Avera, Sr., age 95, passed away at his home on June 21, 2016. Born in Johnston County on April 4, 1921, he was the son of the late William David and Carrie Olivia Allen Avera. Tom was the last surviving of 11 children. He attended Edwards Military Institute in Pineland, NC and Auburn University in Alabama. He was married to the late Evelyn Southerland Avera. He was also preceded in death by his youngest son, William Fountain Avera.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 26 at 3:00 PM in the First Presbyterian Church in Smithfield with Rev. Joe Hester officiating. The family will receive friends at 1469 Cleveland Road, Smithfield, NC Saturday evening beginning at 6:00 PM.
Surviving are his children, Emma Alice Avera Gemmell and husband Andy, Samuel Thomas Avera, Jr. and wife Marinda, Charles Southerland Avera, Susan Avera Booker and husband John; daughter-in-law Ingrid Reynolds Avera; grandchildren Anna McGee Avera Kiggins, Allen Michael Avera, Brandy Avera Vannoy, Carrie Dale Avera Purnell, Ashley Jane Avera, William Reynolds Avera, Jackson Booker, and Olivia Avera Booker; and great grandchildren, Matthew Vannoy, Jack Thomas Vannoy, Noah Kiggins, Lilly Kiggins and Bo Purnell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Evelyn S. Avera Scholarship Fund, c/o First Presbyterian Church, 215 S. 3rd St., Smithfield, NC 27577.
Family Members
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Dr John William Avera
1896–1942
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Charlotte Fort Avera Compton
1897–1987
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Caroline J. Avera
1899–1983
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David Sander Avera
1901–1988
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Charles Nicholas Allen Avera Sr
1903–1971
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Mary Louise Avera Davis
1905–1996
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Jane Kennon Avera Pearson
1907–1994
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William David Avera
1909–1949
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Alexander Waitstill Avera
1913–2003
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Elizabeth Mildred "Betsy" Avera Robertson
1918–2006
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