Avery Nejam

Avery Nejam, of Jackson, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2025, after an extended illness. She was 33.
Avery was the youngest daughter of Lynn and Waddell Nejam, and the beloved little sister of Loris Davis, Brooke Hoffman, Haley Harkins, and Dwyane Demmin-all of Jackson. Though she was the youngest and the slightest in stature, there was nothing small about Avery. She was a dynamo, the living embodiment of the sentiment, "big things come in small packages."
Some say Avery could skateboard before she could walk. Her passion for skateboarding began at the age of five, when she could often be found "popping ollies" in pigtails on a homemade ramp outside her childhood home in Woodland Hills. She once described skateboarding as the "creative fuel" behind her art-a kinetic energy that never left her.
Avery was both self-taught and formally trained as an artist. After graduating from Jackson Academy in 2010, she pursued her passion, studying at the Parsons School of Design in New York and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It was there she began exploring the intersection of printmaking and digital art. And it was around this time that she adopted her signature accessory-red eyeglasses-which would become the focal point of her Mod Pop Art series, "Iconify Me." The series featured large, graphic silhouettes of cultural icons like Andy Warhol-each one reimagined wearing her now-iconic and unforgettable red frames.
As a teenager, she was featured on MTV's House of Style, hailed as "one of the most creative and talented individuals under the age of 18." Her momentum only grew from there. When her portrait of Lupita Nyong'o appeared on the actress's Instagram, Avery caught the attention of Harper's Bazaar, where she soon launched a weekly series called "Chic of the Week." Through her illustrations, she brought to life the singular style of figures like Dolly Parton, Joan Didion, Courtney Love, and Edie Sedgwick, all rendered in her unmistakable voice.
But as vibrant as her portfolio was, her life was even more so. Avery moved through the world in technicolor-curious, compassionate, and utterly original. She was known for her bold, head-to-toe style which included a black fedora, sneakers, and her signature red frames. She loved all things quirky and offbeat-Pee-wee Herman, E.T., and her beloved sidekick and constant companion Sir Fenway Benjamin Franklin (Fenny).
Her friends came from every corner and every walk of life, drawn in by her spark, her creativity, her unique perspective, her bravery, and her fierce sense of individuality. She had a gift for seeing people-really seeing them-and celebrating exactly who they were. Avery was a Candid Observer of the world around her.
And at the heart of her world was her family. She cherished her parents, Lynn and Waddell, and shared a lifelong bond with her sisters, Loris, Brooke, and Haley; and her adopted brother Dwyane. More than anything, Avery adored being an aunt to Parker, Steele, Sunny Ollie, Hank, Skip, Gus, Rainey, Rivers, and Piers. She fully embodied the role of the quintessential cool aunt-the one who gave the best gifts, had the most coveted hand-me-down clothes and accessories, and hosted the more unforgettable Los Angeles adventures. Her nieces and nephews were her biggest fans, and she was theirs. She was and will forever be their rockstar.
She leaves behind a loving extended family, whose lives are better because Avery was a part of it. She was a bright light. A true original. And though her time with us was far too short, her impact-like her art-will remain bold, beautiful, and impossible to forget.
During her time in California, Avery lost several close friends to Sickle Cell Disease. To honor her, please make donations in Avery's honor can be made to the Sickle Cell Foundation of Mississippi, to support their summer programs for children and teens. Donations can also be made to Holy Savior Catholic Church in Clinton to support their Prison Ministry-or your favorite charity.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church in downtown Jackson, followed by inurnment at the St. Richard's Catholic Church columbarium
.A joyful remembrance of Avery's life will be held immediately following at Fondren Guitars. To celebrate Avery's vibrant spirit, the family kindly requests that guests wear bright colors to the service.