Lavelle Peppers Avery

LaVelle Peppers Avery, age 89, of Live Oak, FL passed away Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Haven Hospice in Lake City, FL. She was born in Live Oak, September 9, 1926, the third child and eldest daughter of Howard and Pearl Peppers. Much of her youth was dedicated to helping take care of her nine younger brothers and sister. After graduating from Suwannee High School in 1944, she married Inman Avery, and they briefly lived in Atlanta, GA, and Pompano Beach, FL, but they returned to Suwannee County to work and raise their family. They became deeply involved in the ministry of First Presbyterian and Community Presbyterian Churches, serving together in the Sunday school as well as helping in almost any project the churches did. She also loved singing in the choir. Lavelle worked in several capacities for the North Florida Telephone Company from 1957 until retirement. Her co-workers became some of her dearest friends. In her later years she spent countless hours working in her garden and making herself available to friends and neighbors who needed help. In 2008 she moved for her last years to the Advent Christian Home in Dowling Park. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Inman Avery, and by six brothers and sisters. She is survived by two sons, Richard Avery, Starke, FL; Lowell (Annie) Avery, Cheektowaga, NY; two daughters, Aileen (Daniel) Crapps, Lake City; Emily Levine, Olathe, KS; one brother, Gilbert Peppers, Live Oak; two sisters, Betty Sanders, Valdosta, GA; Barbara Owens, Wellborn, FL; twelve grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Visitation was held one hour prior to the services from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the church. Funeral services were held 11:00 AM, Thursday, February 11, 2016 at the Community Presbyterian Church with Rev. James Walkup officiating. Interment followed in the Macedonia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Community Presbyterian Church, 830 Pinewood Way or the Advent Christian Village, P.O. Box 4305, Dowling Park, FL 32064.