Roy M. Avant, Jr

Mr. Roy M. Avant, Jr., age 85, of Evergreen Drive in Sandersville, passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2025, following an extended illness. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Wednesday, December 3rd, at 11:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church of Sandersville, with burial in Brownwood Cemetery. Reverend Lee Lacey, Mr. Frank Young and Mr. Benji English will officiate his service. Active pallbearers will be Ethan Douglass, Paxton Douglass, Lincoln Douglass, Richard Avant, Berry Phillips, Tommy Wallace and Tommy Redfern. Honorary pallbearers will be current and former employees of Burgess Pigment Company and also his former students and athletes of Brentwood School and Sandersville Elementary. The Avant family will greet friends on Tuesday, from 4:00 p.m. Until 6:00 p.m., at the Funeral Home.

Roy McCluney Avant, Jr. was born March 3, 1940, in Deepstep Georgia, son of the late Roy M. Avant Sr. and the late Minnie Bell Chambers Avant. He graduated from Sandersville High School in 1958, where he served as class president for three years and participated and excelled in all sports. After graduating from High School, he attended Mercer University, where he earned letters on the Golf Team for three years and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in 1963. That same year Roy was drafted into the Army.

Following his service to his country, Roy returned to Sandersville, where he would teach school and become "Coach" to many. His boys’ and girls’ basketball teams had a combined record of 191-60 and his track teams won three regions, and two state titles.

Roy transitioned to Burgess Pigment Company where he served for 37 years, retiring as Human Resource Manager, a job he treasured. He often referred to his work colleagues as the "Burgess Family". Roy was a long time and active member of the Twin City Country Club, and he also found much joy in being a part of the Chalker Hunting Club. In addition to his parents, he is also predeceased by his sister, Barbara Jean Avant Holmes.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years Gloria Lord Avant of Sandersville; children, Dr. Cameron Clinton "Clint" Avant and his wife Cheryl of N. Augusta, S.C. and Amanda Avant Douglass and her husband Warren of Keyport, N.J. and grandsons, Ethan Douglass, Paxton Douglass, Richard Avant and Lincoln Douglass.

Please make donations to Saint Jude Children's Hospital at stjude.org or to First Baptist Church of Sandersville, 316 Mathis Circle, Sandersville, GA. 31082 or to ASPCA at secure.aspca.org.

Please leave an online condolence at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.