Ava Lorein Sexton Treadway Thomas

Ava Lorein Sexton Treadway Thomas, also known as “Granny” age 89, passed peacefully from this earthly life and went home to be with Jesus on February 28, 2021 at her home. She was born August 10, 1931 to the late Greenberry Franklin Sexton and Stella Mae Wilson Sexton. She was the baby of seven children and the only girl. She was preceded in death by all of her brothers. Jim Sexton, Minyard Sexton, Conley Sexton, Dewey Sexton, Verlon Sexton, and Everett Sexton.

Lorein was a proud member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Fairview and has attended there since she was a young girl. She was a loving, God fearing woman, who loved with her whole heart. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, canning and spending time outside. She was very involved in her children’s, grandchildren’s, great- grandchildren and great-great grandchildren’s lives. She enjoyed spending time with them and supporting anything they participated it. She always strived to see the good in everyone she met. She loved reminiscing with people about their families and how everyone was doing. She had an amazing memory, and could tell you all the birthdates as well as death dates of all her family who went on before her. She was a shining light in our family as well as in the community and will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her.

Lorein is survived by her loving husband of 41 years William “Bill” Thomas originally from Bangor Maine. They owned Fairview Upholstery, and built a beautiful life together. Their love for each other could be seen and felt as soon as you met them. They were a beautiful blessing to each other and was thankful every day that the Lord put them in each other’s path.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children Ava Sherlene Atkins Morton of Asheville, and her son Robert “Bobby” Eugene Treadway (Ina) of Port Orange, Florida. She was blessed to gain two wonderful stepdaughters that she loved as her own, Donna Dixon (Eddie) of Cantonment, Florida and Peggy Watson (Lonnie) of McMinnville, Tennessee. She is survived by seven grandchildren, Lisa West (George), Tammy Fincher of Asheville, Kevin Atkins (Christine), Lori Bridges (Matt), Robbie Treadway (Donna), Cindy Treadway, and Tracie Donati (Phillip) all of Fairview. She also had four step grandchildren, Jonathan Dixon, Lauren Dixon of Cantonment Florida, Sherrie Roman (Paul) of Indiana, and Darren Lipe (Donna) of Leicester. She has been blessed with 24 great- grandchildren and numerous great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her dear sister-in-law Mavoureen Sexton. She has many nieces and nephews who are dear to her heart, as well as many special friends, especially Charlene Lance whom she has loved with all her heart.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Lorein’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 4 at New Life Community Church with Pastor Tony Parham & Herbert Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Flowers are greatly appreciated or if you would like to donate in her memory, please send to the Valor Hospice at Charles George VA Hospital 1100 Tunnel Rd. Asheville, NC 28805, or to MountainCare Services, www.mountaincareservices.org, when writing a check, please make sure to designate “Seating Clinic in Honor of Ava Thomas”, MountainCare Inc., PO Box 5956, Asheville, NC

The family has been blessed with special caregivers who have become like family. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts Shannon, Sally, Elinor, Missy & Lynne.