Aileen Avery

Aileen Black Avery, 80, of Kinwood Street, Morganton, died Monday, Aug. 3, 2009, at Autumn Care of Drexel. Born in Burke County, on March 9, 1929, she was the daughter of the late John Edgar "Tobe" Black and Annie Seagle Black. Aileen was a member of First United Methodist Church where she was very active in the Aldersgate Sunday school class. She also was an active member of the Morganton High School Class of 1947 as well as the Democratic Party. She worked as a secretary for the local Veterans Administration, was a copy writer for WMNC radio station and a saleslady at Burke Furniture. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to her care-givers, Pat Helms and JoAnn King, and to the staff of Autumn Care. Aileen is survived by her sons, Thomas Walton Avery and his wife, Virginia, of Gastonia and Stanley Walton Avery and his wife, Kim, of Glen Alpine; a daughter, Ruth Anne Avery Acuff of Morganton; grandchildren, Carrie Anne Avery, Caleb Walton Avery and David Isaac Acuff; a sister-in-law, Martha Nell Brakefield; nephews, Ronald Black, James Black Jr., Steven Black, David Black and John Black II; and a niece, Angela Black. In addition to her parents, Aileen was preceded in death by her husband, Walton Avery Jr.; two brothers, James and Fred Black; a brother-in-law, Hank Avery and his wife, Marjorie. The celebration of Aileen's life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. John L. Frye Jr. and Phil King officiating. Inurnment will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690 or to Presbyterian Home for Children, 80 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711. Condolences at www.sossomanfuneralservice.com.