Photo courtesy of Woodfin Funeral Chapel - Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
1936 - 2014 (Age 78)
Brother James E. ?Jim? Avaritt, Sr. age 78, servant of God, was taken to heaven to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Thursday, August 14, 2014. Brother Jim a native of Murfreesboro, was born June 9, 1936 to Thomas W. and Willie Blythe Avaritt who preceded him in death. Son, James E. ?Jimmy? Avaritt, Jr. and a brother, J.T. ?Tom? Avaritt, also preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be 2:00pm Sunday, August 17, 2014 at Franklin Road Baptist Church where he was a member. Pastor Mike Norris, Dr. F. Murray Mathis, Dr. James O. Holder, Brother J. Martin, and Bro. Jimmy Tyson will officiate. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery with family and friends serving as pallbearers.
Brother Jim is survived by Edwana Warren Avaritt, his loving wife of 58 years who was his high school sweetheart, sons, T. Warren Avaritt of Antioch, John E. Avaritt and his wife Paula Canter Avaritt of Murfreesboro, daughter, Janet Avaritt Paschal and her husband Russell of Woodbury, grandsons, Randy Avaritt and his wife Amanda Robertson Avaritt of Murfreesboro, Brian Avaritt and his wife Brittany Warren Avaritt of Columbia, Maryland and John Robert Avaritt of Murfreesboro, granddaughter, Sydney Leigh Avaritt of Murfreesboro, and great grandson Gavin Avaritt. He is also survived by his brother, George ?Ike? Avaritt, and two daughters-in-laws, Teresa Earp Avaritt and Valerie Arnott Avaritt.
Brother Jim was a 1954 graduate of Central High School, 1969 graduate of Tennessee Temple University at Chattanooga, and 1977 graduate of M.T.S.U. He helped to start the first Bible club at Central High School.
He began pastoring as interim pastor at Patterson Baptist Church at age 17. He has pastored churches in Lawrenceburg and Lenior City, TN, Trion and Valdosta, GA, Calvert City, KY and 26 years at Bellwood Baptist Church in Murfreesboro from which he retired in 2010.
Brother Jim and his wife conducted vacation Bible schools in many states from Ohio to California with thousands of children attending. He served as President of the Good Sheperd?s Children?s Home and on the board for many years.
He fought to keep Murfreesboro a morally and family- oriented city because he loved his hometown.
Visitation will be Saturday, August 16, 2014, from 12:00PM to 8:00 PM at Woodfin Memorial Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons International, Portico (formally Crisis Pregnancy) or Tennessee ?Yes on 1? campaign. On line condolences may be sent to www.woodfinchapel.com 893-5151
I am so sorry to hear about bro. Jim Avaritt he was a wonderful man of God. I know Heaven welcomed him in with open arms. My prayers are with the Avaritt family in their time of grief.
Susie Bratcher-Lenon
August 14, 2015 | Laingsburg, MI
My sympathy goes out to the family during your time of grief. May God's loving-kindness comfort you and help you through this difficult time.
(Psalm 119:50,76)
August 26, 2014
My sympathy goes out to the family during your time of grief. May God's loving-kindness comfort you and help you through this difficult time. (Psalm 119:50,76)
August 26, 2014
Remember Brother Jim @ Bible School @ Bellwood with my children such fun we had with him,pray for strength for the family during these times.
ann towns
August 19, 2014 | Merritt Island, FL
My thoughts and prayers are with Bro Jim family he was a good man i have known him most of my life my grandparents went to Bellwood Baptist I went to vacation bible school there and also went to Bellwood Christian he was always there when someone needed help or just to talk his daughter was my reading teacher in the 4th grade RIP Bro Jim you will be greatly missed and I know that you are in heaven because if anyone deserves a place in Heaven it is you.
Ashley Lockhart-Cantrell
August 18, 2014 | Smithville, TN
Brother Jim was a true man of God, who will be missed by so many families he touched, both from Bellwood Baptist Church and the entire Murfreesboro Community including the once vibrant Bellwood Christian School families. May the Lord, whom Brother Jim loved and dedicated so many years of service to, provide some sort of peace and comfort to all who so dearly loved him, both family, friends, and all who were influenced in such a tremendous way by a true man of God. Prayers for those left to...
Kathy Kelton
August 17, 2014 | Murfreesboro, TN
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Mr, and Mrs. Jack Kelton
August 17, 2014 | Murfreesboro, TN
So sorry for your loss.Bro Jim has earned his reward. He was a blessed man of God,
Judy Bratcher/Hughes
August 17, 2014 | Murfreesboro, TN
Bro Jim at BCA assembly
There is much rejoicing in Heaven these days as Bro Jim enters Paradise. Many wonderful memories of Bro Jim from my childhood days at Bellwood. Praying for peace for his family during this time.
Lydia Medlock
August 17, 2014 | Murfreesboro, TN