Helen J. Avery

Helen J. (Smith) Avery, 96, passed away May14 at the home of her son, in Denham Springs, Louisiana, surrounded by family. She was born March 5, 1928, to parents, Ralph and Vera Smith. She graduated from Homer High School, Homer, Michigan in 1945. She married Richard J. (Jim) Avery on October 5, 1946.
She worked at Homer Bank immediately after high school. Later, she and Jim moved to Wayland, Michigan, where she served as Jim's partner on two milk routes, driving one route through a variety of weather conditions and delivering to the milk plant daily.
She was employed as a sewing machine operator in Wayland and later at Harvard Industries in Litchfield, Michigan. For many years, she and Jim were winter residents of Pine Island, Florida, where she worked at Winn Dixie in the Deli Department. She retired in 2008 from the Litchfield Nursing Home where she enjoyed preparing and serving meals to the residents.
Always wearing a smile, she enjoyed Bunco with Homer friends, gardening and sharing many flowers and plants with friends or family. Living independently at her home in Litchfield, until November of 2023, she took great pride in the landscaping and keeping a mown lawn. She was known to be seen on the riding mower on M-99, headed for the tractor dealer for winter maintenance.
A favorite spot for her was the Homer Public Library where the Librarian and staff were continually setting aside specific "reads" for Helen.
Family was of foremost importance to her, and she gifted many with beautifully hand crocheted items. She took great pride in creating fleece blankets for all family members in their favorite sports/university team design.
She was a member of the Homer Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by her son, Michael, (Lynn) of Denham Springs, LA as well as Grandchildren Kim (Joel) Smith; Adam (Leann) Avery and James Avery, all of Denham Springs; her Great Grandchildren Gavin and Raya Avery; Cooper, Olivia and Evan Avery; and Easton and Everly Smith as well as nieces, Kathy and Wendy Chase, Pam Hartman, Karen Johnson and nephews, Matthew Snyder and Randy Dille. Her sister, Opal Dille, and sister-in-law, Ruth (David) Keefer, also survive.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, and Grandson Tim Avery.
Cremation has occurred. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, July 13, at 11AM in Litchfield, Michigan, at the Eagle Funeral Home-George White Chapel. Interment will follow the service at Fairview Cemetery, Homer, Michigan.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Homer Public Library, 114 W. Main, Homer, Michigan, 49245, or the First Presbyterian Church of Homer, 309 South Sophia, Homer, Michigan, 49245.The family has been served by the Eagle Funeral Home-George White Chapel in Litchfield.