Mr. Marvin W. Avant, age 90, of Sandersville, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2020 following an extended illness. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 4 at May and Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sandersville. Burial will be in Washington County Memorial Gardens. Reverend John King will officiate. Pallbearers will be Wayne Bloodworth, Glen Veasey, Clifford Avant, Ray Bryant, Jr., Bryan Young and Thomas Osborne.
Mr. Avant was a native and lifelong resident of Washington County, the son of the late James Wright Avant and the late Clara Mae Prosser Avant. He is predeceased by his siblings, Maitland Avant Bloodworth and Forace Avant; a niece, Sue Bloodworth Amerson; and a nephew, Lan Lashley. He was a corporal stationed in Germany during the Korean conflict. Mr. Avant has a true love for his family, and he was dedicated to the family farm. Mr. Avant worked for J. P. Stevens and Meadows Barnett until his retirement. He was a lifelong member of Olive Hill Baptist Church. Mr. Avant enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling and spending time with his family.
Survivors are his wife of 64 years, Rubye Turner Avant; two daughters, Debra Avant Tyson of Dublin and Donna Avant Morgan and her husband John of Macon; four grandchildren, Thomas Baugh and his wife Erin of Annapolis, Maryland, Jackson Morgan, Taylor Morgan and Kayla Morgan of Macon; four sisters, Jean Avant Veasey and her husband Jack of Locust Grove, Joann Avant Young Pruett, Lanette Avant Bryant and her husband Ray, and Ellen Avant Lashley and her husband Louie of Gray; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will be at the Avant residence in Sandersville. Visitation will be held on Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville.
The family suggest donations be made to Olive Hill Baptist Church, c/o John Yongue, 1117 Adams Road, Sandersville, Georgia 31082 or Pruitt Health Hospice, 667 South Main Street, Swainsboro, Georgia 30401.
The family would like to thank all the staff of University Health Care and Pruitt Health Hospice for their wonderful care and support during Mr. Avant’s illness. Also, we would like to extend special thanks to Theresa Archer, Beverly Rachels and Emma Long for their care.
May and Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville is in charge of the arrangements.