Elaine Tompkins Avant

Mrs. Elaine Tompkins Avant, age 77, of Sandersville died on Friday, March 31, 2017 after a hard fought battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 4, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Minister Marlon Lastinger and Reverend John Forrester will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Ben Avant, Thomas Avant, Keaton Tapley, Nathan Riner, John Harris, Will Durden and John Claxton. Honorary group will be the Women's Missionary Union and Tennille High School Class of 1957.

Mrs. Avant was born in Tennille, Georgia, the daughter of the late Ray Tompkins and the late Addie Tanner Tompkins. She was the wife of the late Horace Bee Avant, Jr. and the mother of the late Larry Bee Avant. Elaine owned and operated Avant's Radio City for over thirty years. She was an active volunteer in the community through such organizations as the C B Radio Club, Carpenters for Christ,  Washington County Boat Club and  Tennille High School Class of 1957 where she was secretary and treasurer for many years. Elaine was an active member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church as a member of the Women's Missionary Union, the Prayer Group, a former Sunday school leader, Wednesday night children's leader and Vacation Bible School volunteer. Mrs. Avant was a talented artist who shared her passion of art with many people over the years.

Survivors are: her sons, Ken Avant and his wife Kathy of Sandersville, Brian Avant and his wife Verina of Sandersville; grandchildren, Rachel Durden (Jason), Jennifer Claxton (John), Ben Avant (Wendy), Allena Beall (Lee), Lawren Vachon (George), Michelle Shaw, Tara Avant, Thomas Avant, Zara Gillespie and Keaton Tapley; nineteen great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.

The family suggest donations be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Youth and Children's Fund, 2947 Pleasant Grove Road, Sandersville, Georgia 31082.

The family will receive friends at May and Smith Funeral Home from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. on Monday.

May and Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville is in charge of the arrangements.
www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com