Lee Hudson Avant, Sr

Mr. Lee Hudson Avant, Sr. “Hut”, age, 90, of Sandersville passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at his residence. A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Sandersville with burial at Washington County Memorial Gardens. Reverend Lee Lacey will officiate Pallbearers will be Hudson Avant, Ben Avant, Drew Still, Jess Williams, Jamie Avant, and Dean Bickham.

Lee Hudson Avant, Sr. a native of Sandersville, son of the late Chancey Binion “C.B” Avant, Sr. and Effie Tanner Avant. Hut was preceded in death by his siblings, Dorothy Barrow (Ed), Paul Avant, Virginia Meeks (Lamar), C.B. Avant, Jr., June Vigilione (Tony), Frances Holmes (David), Marguerite Roberts, (Winfred), James Avant (Geneva), brother-in-law, Doug Samples, son, James Binion “Benny” Avant (Sheila), and sons-in-law, Jimmy Williams and John Barker.

Hut graduated from Sandersville High School. His entrepreneurial spirit manifested early selling peanuts at age six, operating multiple snow cone stands and refusing to abandon his vision for the future as obstacles and setbacks were presented. He loved sharing stories of his youthful adventures, escapades and jobs that often included hitchhiking to follow the venture. His respect for craftsmanship could be heard when he proudly shared the opportunity to work with the Lacy Bothers as a carpenter/painter. He met Joanne, the love of his life in Tennille watching the Nancy Hanks pull in the train depot on a Sunday evening. One of his earliest dreams began when he and Joanne opened the Dairy Lane in 1954. A common sight was to see Hut working diligently on his seasonal flower beds around the Dairy Lane and his other businesses. Over his lifetime he looked for new business opportunities for himself, his family and others interested in pursuing the American Dream by working hard and providing affordable goods and services for those in his community. Hut’s love for God, country and family served as his motivation and drive to encourage other to make the most of each day and use their talents and skills to fullest! His legacy is one of the values of hard work, a family patriarch and noble countryman never focused on being in the spotlight but being a man of his word.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Joanne Wicker Avant; his sister, Faye Samples of Suwanee; children, Terri Barker, Lee Avant (Kelli), Toni Durkin (Ralph), Jo Lynn Still (Andy), Grace Meyers (Tom); grandchildren, Jess Williams (Leslie), Leanne McGowan (Chris), Jessica Avant, Jamie Avant, Amy Albright (Chris), Hudson Avant (Rachel), Ben Avant, Laura Woodard (Travis), Regan Durkin, Drew Still, Dean Bickham and Jordan Bickham; great grandchildren, Gambill Williams, Maggie Williams, Abe Williams, Charlie Hancock, Tucker Hancock, Annalee McGowan, Lillie McGowan, Henry McGowan, Austin Albright, Wyatt Albright, Tori Albright, Noah Avant, Lillie Meier, Georgia Avant, Harrison Woodard, and Emma Grace Woodard.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 28 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at May and Smith Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148, First Baptist Church of Sandersville, 316 Mathis Circle, Sandersville, Ga. 31082 or Mt. Moriah Baptist Church c/o Hodges Hartley, 270 News Bridge Rd., Tennille, GA. 31089

May & Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements. Condolences may be made online at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com