Avis lived all her life in the Liberty Community until declining health forced her to move to a nursing home in Bossier City, Louisiana, to be near family. She was the Liberty Baptist Church Clerk for 47 years. She loved the church and her community and never stopped talking about them.
She was the last surviving child of Arthur and Verna (Walters) Wilkes, and was preceded in death by brothers Marvin, George, and Lester Wilkes; and sisters Lydia and Rosa Lee Wilkes and Nettie Hopkins.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews with whom she had a special bond and shaped their lives in many ways. They are: Marvin Wilkes’ son, Philip; Nettie Hopkins’ daughter, Jane; George Wilkes’ children, Steve, Charles, Ronald, Amy, Amanda (Mandy), and Sharon; and Lester Wilkes’ children, Randy, Jan, Ellen, Sherry, and Greg.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Jodie Duran, 4067 Yarbrough Carter Road, Noxapater, MS 39346.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
