Joyce Avery

The Rev. Joyce Priscilla Hunt Avery, 60, of 3930 NC 126, Morganton, answered the call of the Lord on Thursday, June 25, 2009, while at Grace Hospital following a period of declining health. She was born Aug. 2, 1948 in Burke County to the late Harvey Hunt Sr., and the late Rosie Lee Hunter Hunt. She was preceded in death by her adopted parents, Tealer Mooney and Dorothy Mae Hunter Mooney. She was a member of Shiloh AME Church where she was a former member of Stewardess Board No. 2, the Rainbow Club, the Missionary Society and from where she entered into the ministry for the Lord. She formerly served as the Pastor of Mars Hill AME Church for eight years, Mission AME Church for 10 years and Israel Chapel AME Church for one year. She was a member and faithful supporter of the Burke County Prayer Band, the Friday Morning Prayer Team of Lake James, and President of the Heavenly Angels of Generations Adult Day Care and the Union Fellowship. She retired from Broughton Hospital where she worked in housekeeping for 24 years. She was a graduate Oak Hill High School, Livingston College and from Heavens Avenue Baptist University, Shelby. Her legacy of preaching God's word will live on. Survivors include her son, the Rev. Chris (Rev. Stephanie) A. Avery of Hickory; her daughter, Stephanie (Fred) Avery Abernathy of Morganton; brothers, Harvey (Vivian) Hunt Jr. of Flat Rock, and James (Rochelle) Hunt of Arden; sisters, Carolyn McCall of Richmond, Va. and Ruth Robertson of Hendersonville; her cherished grandchildren, Kiya Hightower and Tidus Avery of the home and Stefonia Vaught of Hickory; aunts, Pastor Annie Belle Corpening and Flossie Mae Hunter, both of Morganton; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and many cherished community friends and church family. Funeral services are scheduled to be held at Shiloh AME Church at 3 p.m. on Monday with the Revs. H.S. Williams, Phyllis Caldwell, Debra Caldwell and Cardell Chambers officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 to 2:55 p.m. at the church prior to the services. Burial will follow services at Shiloh AME Church Cemetery. Ebony Funeral Services of Morganton is assisting the family. Condolences may be made at em2ebony@att.net.