Mrs. Willie Mae Avery, 93 passed Friday, February 14, 2025 in Phenix City, AL.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. EST on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Gaines Chapel AME Church located at 911 Dillingham St., Phenix City, AL with Rev. Gregory McLeod, pastor, officiating and Rev. Richard Carter, eulogist. Burial to follow in Lakeview Memory Gardens. Public viewing is 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 21, 2025.

The soul departed in the Lord does not die, it returns to God the creator who is the giver of life.

On Friday, February 14, 2025, our beloved Willie Mae Avery, 93, transitioned into eternal rest at her home surrounded by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen Michelle Avery Alexander & Tony Alexander, and her great-niece, Erica Ankrom.

Willie Mae Robinson Avery was born April 14, 1931 in Phenix City, Alabama to the Rev. W. E. and Annie Walker Robinson. She was raised in a loving and Christian home. She attended Alabama Public Schools and graduated with honors in 1949 from South Girard High School.

She attended and graduated from Columbus City Hospital, and earned her Registered Nurse Degree in 1953. Her career in nursing was given with a missionary spirit dedicated to God, the Nursing Creed, and a passionate concern for her patients and the needs of their families.

She worked for forty (40) years and retired in 1992. Thirteen (13) of those years were spent at the Medical Center (now Piedmont Columbus Regional) and twenty-seven (27) years at the Columbus Health Department.

In 1956, she was blessed with a family to nurture and love in a package, her husband, James Avery, Sr., and two great sons, James Jr. (Bucky) and Douglas (Doug). She lost her Husband, February 2, 2015 after 58 years of marriage. They were blessed with a little angel, Sissy, in 1962 whom they dedicated to God at the age of 7 months.

She joined Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church at the age of 12 years and remained faithful until her death. She served in many capacities which involved, but not limited to, youth activities, Treasurer of Emma Isaac Butler Missionary Society, Vice President of the Stewardess Board and Chair Person of the Inez Phillips Missionary Unit. One of her favorite roles was to plan and coordinate the East Alabama Missionary Health Fair for 8 years. She volunteered at the Children Medical Clinic at the Medical Center.

She was a people person. Her hobbies included flower gardening, crossword puzzles and collecting souvenir spoons. Doting on her children and grand children were the highlight of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three (3) brothers: JD Robinson, Freddie Edmonds, Clifford Robinson Sr., four (4) sisters: Mable Franklin, Lois Andrews, Blondie McDuffie and Mattie Jones, one (1) great-grandson, D'Angelo Avery, who was the apple of her eye, and her best friend, Trudie Evans.

She is survived by two sons: James Jr. and Douglas of Maryland, one daughter, Karen Michelle Avery Alexander (Tony) of Phenix City, Alabama, six grandchildren: Christopher (LaJanice), Sharon, Patrick, Monique, Tori and Tevin; six great-grandchildren, Khristen, Naima, Nadira, Tailyn, Khi, and Kam'ron; one great-great granddaughter, Raziya; a church goddaughter, Shandra Thornton; a host of loving nieces and nephews who affectionally called her "Auntie", and many relatives and friends.