Avon Stephens North

NORTH, Avon Stephens (Mrs. Ira)Age 87 of Madison. Passed away after a long illness on April 23, 2008. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ada Parrish Stephens and George Thomas Stephens; her husband, Dr. Ira North; her son, Dr. K. Timothy North; her brothers, Harris Stephens and John R. Stephens. She is survived by her brother, George T. Stephens (Bobbie) of Savannah, TN; her sons, Steve North (Jo Ann) and Phillip L. North (Dale) and daughter, Dolley Ruth North Rennie (Robert). She is also survived by grandchildren, Ira Stephen North, Jr., Don Mark North (Kristin), David Paul North (Cherri Beth), Kenneth Timothy North II (Wanda), Tammy Avon North Crumpler (Rike), Tabitha Maye North Finney, Cynthia Nicole North Baxley (Doug), Ann Neely North, Nathan Ira North, Natalie Mae North, Christopher Clark Stevens (Irina), Jonathan Ira Stevens (Amy) and Benjamin North Stevens. She also left 15 great-grandchildren. She married Ira North when she was 18 years old. It is believed that they were the first married couple to graduate from David Lipscomb College. For 44 years, she was a partner in his ministry as a preacher for churches of Christ in Texas, Louisiana, Illinois and Tennessee. She was instrumental in founding the Madison Children's Home and Domestic Violence Shelter, Mother's Day Out Program, Meals-on-Wheels, Valley View Bible Camp, Ira and Avon North Christian Care Villa, Ira and Avon North Christian Student Loan Fund, and many other programs of service at the Madison church of Christ. In later years, she was very active in her support of the Inner City Ministry. At her death, she was a treasured member of the Neelys Bend church of Christ. Family visitation will be at Bixler Chapel, Madison church of Christ, Thursday, April 24, 2008 from 6 until 8 p.m., Friday, April 25, 2008 from 2 until 4 and 7 until 9 p.m., and Saturday, April 26, 2008 from 9 until 10 a.m.. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2008 at Madison church of Christ, Bros. Jim Bill McInteer and Lytle Thomas officiating. Interment at John Lay Cemetery, Ethridge, TN at 3:30 p.m. Grandchildren will be Active Pallbearers. The family expresses gratitude to the staff at the Ira and Avon North Christian Care Villa, and Clare Bridge Cottage for their compassionate care for our loved one. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Ira and Avon North Christian Student Loan Fund, c/o North Law Office, 1215 Gallatin Rd. So., Madison, TN 37115. PHILLIPS-ROBINSON FUNERAL HOME, Gallatin Rd. Chapel, (615) 262-3312.