ELAINE B. AVANT

Mrs. Elaine B. Avant, age 90 of DeFuniak Springs passed away Wednesday night, December 26, 2018 in the home of her daughter.  She was born August 5, 1928 in Kinston, Alabama the daughter of James Cummings Bedsole and Linnie Maggie Whigham Bedsole.  After graduation from Kinston schools she attended Troy State Teacher’s College where she earned her Master’s Degree in Education.  She moved with her husband to DeFuniak Springs where Elaine was employed with the Walton County Board of Education 45 years, most of that time spent at Freeport High School.
She was instrumental in arranging for the very first Senior Prom and the first Senior Class Trip.  Most of her later years in education were spent as DCT Instructor at Freeport High School.  In retirement Elaine loved working in her yards which she kept manicured and covered in her favorite flower, day lilies.  She loved country music and square dancing and just about every Friday and Saturday night she could be found either in Samson or Opp at the local dances.  Even in advanced years, after alzhiemers had taken its’ toll, she would respond to Brooks & Dunn’s Boot Skootin’ Boogie,  Countless students will long remember her influence on them and their lives.   She is predeceased by her husband, Lennie Avant, her sister, Onita Archie and her brother-in-law Buddy Archie.

Among survivors are her children, Larry (Glenda) Jones and Sonya (David) Carroll.  Her grandchildren, Dale (Lisa) Jones, Leah (David) Farlow, Davie Carroll, Dana (Jake) Brannon, Destany Carroll and Nick Carroll.  Her great grandchildren, Maleah Farlow, Skyler Jones, Marshall Jones, Hayden Farlow, Bentlee Earley and Makenna Currington.   Her nephews, Tim (Caroline) Archie and Kevin (Donna) Archie; her great nieces and nephews, Trent, Aubree, Trace and Addy also survive.

A time of visitation will be Wednesday, January 2, 2019, from 11 until 12 in Jerry Evans Chapel with the funeral beginning at 12:00 P.M. with Brother Jack Smith officiating.  Burial will follow in Peaceful Acres Memorial Gardens, 1018 Florala Highway, Opp, Alabama.