Earnest Raymond "Ray" Avirett

Mr. Earnest Raymond “Ray” Avirett, Jr. age 91, of 206 Richmond Street, Sandersville died Monday, February 18, 2013 at his residence. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 22nd at 2:00pm at the First Baptist Church of Sandersville with interment in the Brownwood Cemetery. Reverend Lee Lacey will officiate. Pallbearers will be: Billy Smith, Sandy Mercer, Charles Jordan, Charles Lee, Jim Croome, Louie Waller, Mark West, Cliff Sheppard, Sandy Veal, Tom Bell, Mike Sheppard, Ben Raley, Carl McNally and Mac Flemister.
Mr. Avirett was a native of Early County, the son of the late Earnest Raymond Avirett, Sr. and the late Nellie George Avirett. He was a graduate of Albany High School where he won many state honors playing the tuba in the school band. Mr. Avirett was in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII where he served in Tunisia, Sardinia, and Sicily with B-26 ground crews. He was a member of the ATO fraternity and graduated from Mercer University in 1950 with a degree in Biology. Mr. Avirett worked for Thiele Kaolin Company as a land surveyor and mapmaker until his retirement. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, where he served as a Church deacon, a former Sunday school teacher, and a member of the choir. He was a member and former president of the Sandersville Lions Club. He was a Boy Scout Troop leader and the recipient of the Silver Beaver award. Mr. Avirett also served on the Boy Scout Central Georgia Council for many years. He was an avid genealogy researcher and member of the Sandersville Historical Society. Mr. Avirett is predeceased by his brother, Bill Avirett Sr.

Survivors include; his wife of 64 years, Ruth Baker Avirett of Sandersville, children, Donald Baker Avirett and his wife Paula of Amarillo, Texas, Laura Sue A. Miller and her husband Mark of Cumming, grandchildren, Laura Avirett Burciaga of Amarillo, TX, Nathaniel M. Avirett and his wife Erin also of Amarillo, Havilah Ruth Miller of Cleveland, Jarrett Lemuel Miller and his wife Hannah of Gainesville, and Evan Avirett Miller of Cumming, a brother, Luther Avirett and his wife Barbara of Bradenton, Fl., two great grandchildren and his sister-in-law Ann Avirett of Macon.
The family suggests donations be made to First Baptist Church of Sandersville 316 Mathis Circle Sandersville, Georgia 31082 or to the Washington County Genealogy Research Center, P.O. Box 6088, Sandersville, GA. 31082.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5 to 7pm at the May and Smith Funeral Home. May and Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville is in charge of the arrangements. www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com