Willie Avery

Willie Avery, 92 of Morganton, NC went to her Heavenly Home, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Born on June 21, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Ervin Harbison and Addie Collett. Willie worked at Central School and Hillcrest Elementary School in the cafeteria as a cook then later retired from Henredon Furniture cafeteria as a cook. She was a member of St. Luke Church of Opportunity. Willie was an advocate for the Youth Department where she was the senior mother and charter member. She served on the Missionary Board and lead member of Kitchen Committee, choir member, Usher Board, Pastoral Board, and had a heart for the homeless people.

Willie is survived by her daughter, Margaret Avery; grandchildren, Dionta Avery (Alethia), Dondi Avery (Martha), Brittney Johnson, Jarvis Johnson, Maurice Chambers, Hope Busby, Cameron Miller, Alisha Patterson (Romey); great-grandchildren, Marisha, Dondi Dishanta, Wesley, Crista, Visha, Alicia, Nysha, Mackenzine, Marissa, Mary, Meekea, Ashly, Jasmine, Rashed; a host of great great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins; sibling, Shirley Harbison; daughter-in-law, Linda Johnson, Martha Kissler; special daughter, Betty Happoldt, Mary Hood; and her church family.

In addition to her parents, Willie is preceded in death by her husband, John Wesley Avery, Sr., sons, David Collett, John Avery, Jr.; siblings, Eugena Epps, Kathryn Collett, Louise Harbison Rutherford, Wilson Collett, Johnny Collett, Addie Collett, Sylvester Harbison, Isaac Harbison and James Harbison; special sister-in-law, Lutisha Roseboro.

The family will receive friends from 1pm until 2pm, Monday, July 5, 2021 at New Hope Baptist Church. The funeral service will be held at 2pm in the church with the Bishop Aaron S. Hooper officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park.

The family would like to send a special thanks to Hospice & Palliative care in Charlotte, Hickory Village Memory Care, and her church family at St. Luke.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.