1940
Edward
2018
Edward Tarver Averett, Jr.
February 8, 1940 — August 14, 2018
Edward Tarver Averett, Jr. was born February 8, 1940 and died after an extended illness (MDS-Myelodysplastic Syndrome) at the age of 78 on August 14th, 2018. Services are Friday, August 17 at 4:00pm at Memorial United Methodist Church Fernandina Beach, FL and Sunday, August 19 at 4:00pm at Sandersville United Methodist Church Sandersville, GA.
Tarver Averett enjoyed a life improving his community. A native of Sandersville, Georgia, he graduated from Sandersville High School in 1958. He was a proud alumnus of both North Georgia College where he earned his BA in History and English in 1962 and Georgia Southern where he earned his Ed. S degree in Leadership and Administration. He served in the military for five years as an airborne infantry officer during which time he served in Korea. He was Scoutmaster for Troop 74 and a member of the Rotary Club for twenty years. Tarver's first love was his family and second, public education. Tarver taught at DD Crawford Primary School in Sandersville, GA, then became principal at Sandersville Elementary School for 2 1/2 years before he was elected superintendent in 1976. He was superintendent twenty years, during which time he served as president of the Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA) and helped administer the building of T. J. Elder Middle School and renovation of the high school in Washington County. In 2009 he moved to Fernandina Beach, Florida where he quickly became a friend of the community and continued his activism for equality and fairness with everyone he met. He loved meeting with his friends every morning at the Amelia Island Coffee shop to discuss politics, always referring to himself as a yellow-dog democrat. His hobbies included playing with his dogs and watching MSNBC. He was a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church, Fernandina Beach and served in the Chancel Choir. As a member of the North Georgia College baseball team, he often proudly remembered getting a hit while playing the University of Tennessee. Later, he fondly remembered being at Fulton County Stadium to witness Hank Aaron break Babe Ruth's home-run record.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Harrell Averett; his three children, Laura Averett Morris (Kevin), Edward Tarver Averett III (Tori), MaeLee Corinna Averett; his grandchildren, Charles Edward Morris, Ethan Scott Morris, and Ellis Tarver Averett; his sister, Mary Grace Kay (Billy), sister-in-law, Jane Payne, many nieces and nephews, his mother-in-law Angela Scarborough Harrell, and sister-in-law Rosemary Harrell Sirmans (Tim). He was predeceased by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Tarver Averett, his brother Lloyd Adrian Payne, and father-in-law, John Harrell. A scholarship in his honor is given each year to Washington County High School students planning to attend North Georgia College and Georgia Southern University the "Following in Tarver's Tracks Scholarship." Contributions to this scholarship can be made at Washington County High School in Sandersville or at FollowinTarversTracks.com .
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in his memory to either the "Following in Tarver's Tracks Scholarship" fund or to Trinity United Methodist Church in Fernandina Beach. Services entrusted to Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations-Nassau and Jacksonville.
This is a courtesy announcement by May and Smith Funeral Directors.
Tarver Averett enjoyed a life improving his community. A native of Sandersville, Georgia, he graduated from Sandersville High School in 1958. He was a proud alumnus of both North Georgia College where he earned his BA in History and English in 1962 and Georgia Southern where he earned his Ed. S degree in Leadership and Administration. He served in the military for five years as an airborne infantry officer during which time he served in Korea. He was Scoutmaster for Troop 74 and a member of the Rotary Club for twenty years. Tarver's first love was his family and second, public education. Tarver taught at DD Crawford Primary School in Sandersville, GA, then became principal at Sandersville Elementary School for 2 1/2 years before he was elected superintendent in 1976. He was superintendent twenty years, during which time he served as president of the Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA) and helped administer the building of T. J. Elder Middle School and renovation of the high school in Washington County. In 2009 he moved to Fernandina Beach, Florida where he quickly became a friend of the community and continued his activism for equality and fairness with everyone he met. He loved meeting with his friends every morning at the Amelia Island Coffee shop to discuss politics, always referring to himself as a yellow-dog democrat. His hobbies included playing with his dogs and watching MSNBC. He was a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church, Fernandina Beach and served in the Chancel Choir. As a member of the North Georgia College baseball team, he often proudly remembered getting a hit while playing the University of Tennessee. Later, he fondly remembered being at Fulton County Stadium to witness Hank Aaron break Babe Ruth's home-run record.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Harrell Averett; his three children, Laura Averett Morris (Kevin), Edward Tarver Averett III (Tori), MaeLee Corinna Averett; his grandchildren, Charles Edward Morris, Ethan Scott Morris, and Ellis Tarver Averett; his sister, Mary Grace Kay (Billy), sister-in-law, Jane Payne, many nieces and nephews, his mother-in-law Angela Scarborough Harrell, and sister-in-law Rosemary Harrell Sirmans (Tim). He was predeceased by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Tarver Averett, his brother Lloyd Adrian Payne, and father-in-law, John Harrell. A scholarship in his honor is given each year to Washington County High School students planning to attend North Georgia College and Georgia Southern University the "Following in Tarver's Tracks Scholarship." Contributions to this scholarship can be made at Washington County High School in Sandersville or at FollowinTarversTracks.com .
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in his memory to either the "Following in Tarver's Tracks Scholarship" fund or to Trinity United Methodist Church in Fernandina Beach. Services entrusted to Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations-Nassau and Jacksonville.
This is a courtesy announcement by May and Smith Funeral Directors.
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