Bennett Avera

Bennett Howard Avera

Wrens, GA  – Bennett Howard Avera, 79, loving companion of Carolyn Eunice and husband of the late Shirley Haymon Avera, went home to be with his Lord Sunday night, January 5, 2014 from his residence while surrounded by his family.  Funeral services will be held at 1:00PM, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 in the James Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. James M. Ford and Rev. J. Scott McKinney officiating. Interment will follow in the Wrens Memorial Cemetery.

One of four children born to the late Edna Hammett Avera and the late Luther C. Avera, Bennett was a native of Wrens. After proudly serving our country in the Army, he was a Buildings Manager for the government which took him to Thomasville where he raised his family. His job then took him to Savannah where he retired and then moved back home to Wrens. He was mechanically inventive, extremely resourceful and very ingenious—receiving commendations in his career for jobs well done.  Bennett was an active member of Wrens Baptist Church and the Willis Clark Sunday School Class, and was a past deacon.  He enjoyed traveling, especially out west and to the Grand Canyon, could be found walking or hiking wherever he went, loved to drink his black coffee, but most importantly, established deep, abiding “real” friendships.  A simple, responsible, humble man, Bennett was well-respected and exuded great strength, honor, integrity, and steadfastness.  Most of all, he loved his family beyond words and was most content in their presence.

Bennett is also preceded in death by his siblings, Joyce Avera and Floyd Avera. Other survivors include his two sons, Joel B. Avera (Donna) and Stephen L. Avera (Catherine); a brother, Lester Avera (Nancy); two grandchildren, Renia Avera and Rachel Clements (J.J.); two great grandchildren, Kinsey Clements and Kaitlynn Clements; his niece, Betsy Milburn (Charles); great nieces, Jenna Teachey (Doug) and Anna Kirchman (Kyle); cousins, and many friends. Pallbearers will be J. B. Arnold, Bill Newsome, Jack Phillips, Scott Pope, George Samples and Burney Thompson. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be members of the Willis Clark Sunday School Class.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 11:30 AM - 12:50PM Tuesday, January 7, 2014 prior to the funeral services.
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He Is Gone

You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him,
Or you can be full of the love that you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he is gone,
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry, close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what he would want:
Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

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