LaVelle Avant

LaVelleAvant, 65, of New Smyrna Beach, passed away peacefully June 25, 2009 surrounded by her family after a brave and fierce 5 year battle with breast cancer. She was born in Spartanburg, SC on January 27, 1944 and moved to Ocala shortly after where she spent her early years. She moved to Forest City, NC as a teenager and graduated from Cool Springs High School. She then attended Medical University of South Carolina where she received her nursing degree. She married her high school sweet heart, Hugh Avant in 1965. They then resided in Chapel Hill, NC where she gave birth to two beautiful daughters, Sondra in 1968 and Alicia in 1970. They eventually moved to Gainesville in 1971 where they set up Hugh's dental practice where she worked for over 25 years. Upon retirement they moved to New Smyrna Beach. LaVelle was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed playing tennis and golf and was an avid fisherwoman. She had a keen sense of adventure and traveled extensively with friends and family to all parts of the world. She was a member of the Song of the Coast Chorus. She was a loyal friend to many and an inspiration to her family and friends through her unwavering faith in God and eternal optimism. Her spiritual life was enriched by her involvement in Trinity United Methodist Church and Coronado Community United Methodist Church. Most of all Lavelle loved spending time with her three beautiful Grandchildren. One of her favorite sayings was 'We make a living by what we get...we make a life by what we give.' She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Stella McCulloch, brother, Ted McCulloch, and daughter, Alicia Avant Erwin. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Hugh Avant; daughter, Sondra Avant deLourche and son-in-law Steve; son- in law, Nelson Erwin; and grandchildren, Ashley, Marina and Grant. Funeral Services will be held on June 30, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Coronado Community United Methodist Church, 201 S Peninsula Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL. Visitation will be held prior from 12-2:00 PM. Burial will follow at Sea Pines Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Halifax Health Hospice or to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home. Please sign the guestbook at www.forestmeadowsfh.com.