Johnnie Garrard Avant

Mrs. Johnnie Garrard Avant, age 91, of Sandersville passed away on Thursday, January, 13, 2022 at Fellowship Home at Meriwether in Milledgeville. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of May and Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville with burial to follow at Brownwood Cemetery. Mr. Carl Forrester will officiate and Mrs. Avant’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Mrs. Avant, was born in Sandersville on March 31, 1930, the daughter of the late William E. Garrard and the late Lillie Scarborough Garrard. She married the late Marvin Leonard Avant December 24, 1947, and they shared a lifetime of happiness together in Sandersville. Mrs. Avant worked for many years at Sandersville Elementary both as a para-professional and as lunchroom manager. She was an exceptional cook and enjoyed baking cakes. Mrs. Avant was an avid reader and could usually be found with a good book. Faith was also very important to her and is evident in her time spent volunteering for Carpenters for Christ. Mrs. Avant was member of First Baptist Church in Sandersville. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Avant is preceded in death by her siblings, Bubba Garrard, Allie Lela Wilson, Alma Carnes, Betty Nell Williford, Ann Pegram, and Lewis Garrard.

Mrs. Avant is survived by her children, Sandra Etta Thompson, of Sharpsburg, Michael Leonard Avant and his wife Marilyn of Macon, Joe Derek Avant of Tifton, and Kay Avant Forrester and her husband Dewey of Milledgeville; grandchildren, Russell Shawn Stiehl, Clayton Brent Stiehl, Stephany Etta Walls, Cody Miller Avant, Isaac Scott Forrester, and Hannah Jordan Forrester; great grandchildren, Blake Stiehl, Brynlee Walls, and Bailey Walls; and sister, June Garrard Thigpen of Augusta.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 22, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of service at May and Smith Funeral Directors.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to Carpenters for Christ, c/o First Baptist Church of Sandersville, 316 Mathis Circle, Sandersville, GA  31082.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements. Online condolences can be made at < a href="http://www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com">www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com