Avalene Rose Lewis

avalene lewis
When Avalene Rose Nutt Lewis grew up in Washburn, W. VA, she learned the expression, "You preach your own funeral." On March 31, 2013, she completed a eulogy that was wonderful and complex, a rare combination of strength and sweetness, consistency and willingness to grow. When there was an opportunity for fun, she would joke and smile and wink. When times were difficult, she would dig in and hold her ground until things were better. The world was richer for her 87 years in it. Predeceased by her husband Fred Charles Lewis and her parents Monna Lenore Washburn and Anthony David Nutt, also two sisters, Fonda Wedding and Helen Gordy and brother, Raymond Nutt. She is survived by her immediate family: Linda and Charles Nelms, Deborah and Charles Lewis-Smith, Fred and Denise Lewis, Jennifer Calloway; grandchildren, Rebecca (James) Keil, Caitlin (Trevor) Manning, Cara Lewis and Jackson Calloway, and great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Keil; brother, Lawrence and Irene Nutt; other extended family: Rosemarie Nutt, Oscar and Nene Lewis, Mabel Mungo and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be missed by them and by her friends from Three Mountaineers, from her church and from her Haw Creek neighborhood. A funeral service will be held Thursday, April 4, 2013, at 2:00 P.M. at Beverly Hills Baptist Church with Randy Melton officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road. Interment will be in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens immediately following the ceremony. Donations may be made in her memory to the Beverly Hills Preschool Sunday School Program that she led for 17 years, c/o 777 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805.

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  1. To the Lewis Family,
    I have had the privilege of knowing Avalene for the past 10 years. She is a precious Lady that I learned to love the first time I met her. When she gave me that smile and ‘wink’, I knew I was on the same page that she was. She will live forever among the children and workers in the Sunday School Preschool at BHBC. With Love, Nancy

  2. I will keep your family in my prayers during this difficult time. I know it is difficult to lose a parent.

    Brenda

  3. Our sweet thoughts and prayers for a wonderful life ended on earth and continuing on in eternity with her Lord.

  4. Fred and family,

    May our God comfort you all during this difficult time. You will be in our prayers in the coming days. What a glorious Easter day she must have had!

    Steve Yates family.

  5. I am so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful person. Janice and I came to visit a few years ago and had a wonderful time with her and her beautiful family.

  6. Fred
    Sorry to hear about your mother. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
    Robbie

  7. Dear Fred and Family:

    May God be with you during this most difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  8. Fred,

    Jim and I send our sincere condolence for your loss. As hard as it is, take comfort in knowing that your mother is in good company with our loved ones as well as the ones that have gone before her.

    Sincerely,

    Jami & Jim Lewis

  9. Jennifer and Jackson, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. We pray that God grants His peace to all of you during this time.

  10. Sorry to hear about your mom.My father-in-law passed away on 3/13/13. The minister at his funeral said that we breathe out last breath on earth and our next breath in heaven and for all of us that is a comforting thought.

  11. So sorry to hear of the death of your mom. So glad that you got to spend the time with her and for that I know you are grateful. God Bless you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

  12. Fred,sorry for your loss but happy your Mom was full of life and God’s love to the end of her days here on earth. Anymore when a Christian passes a part of me is a little jealous that they are with Jesus,guess it’s homesickness. Blessings and peace to you and your family.

  13. To my cousins and their families,

    I feel sad now that I’m without any aunts. Aunt Avalene was a fighter against her illness and had unshakeable faith. A real lady knows how to make a graceful exit and a real lady she was. I miss her.

    My prayers, thoughts, and love are with you all. I wish I could be there.

    Love,

    Jackie and Allen

  14. Fred,
    Our thoughts and sympathies are with you and your family. You are in our prayers.

    Dave and Diane Brinkley

  15. So sorry to hear of your loss…nothing will ever replace her love for you nor your love for her.I wish you comfort and love from our Heavenly Father,acceptance of her glorious Homecoming and the joy from so many memories of her life and her wisdom,her gift to you and yours. Peace and all good things…Faren

  16. Fred and family,
    Our deepest condolences on the loss of your mother.
    Janet, Stan & Zack Pamfilis

  17. Deborah,
    My thoughts are with you and your family during this time. Thank you for sharing the wonderful sentiments about your mother with me.

  18. Fred,
    I’m truly sorry to hear of the loss of your mother.
    May God bless and comfort you and your family in this time of need is our prayer.

  19. It is a beautiful experience to ‘see’ your loved one into heaven. May God continue to give you and your family peace, comfort, and grace as you share the many memories you’ve been blessed with.

  20. We’re praying for y’all as you are made sorrowful with the passing of ‘Memaw’ she was a dear lady with a wonderful family who’s love and care sustained her through her aging years. Your in our thoughts and prayers. love you all, Elaine and Earl

  21. Dear Family of Avalene Nutt Lewis: I received a call from Lawrence Nutt Monday evening. I wish to convey my deepest sympathy in the loss of your mother, grandmother, and sister. I only met her a few times which was at the Washburn family picnics at North Bend State Park. I may have met her at her parents’ home (Jake and Monna’s) when I was a young girl. My father was Herman Smith, son of Ollie Marie (Washburn) Smith, sister of Monna Nutt. My father, Herman, always spoke fondly of all his cousins of the Nutt family and, of course, ‘his’ Aunt Monna & Uncle Jake. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. Love and prayers, Joy Smith Glenn 4-2-2013 address: 8200 Sportsman Club Rd., Johnstown, OH 43031

  22. What a beautiful testimony to your mother’s legacy and life! Our sincere condolences to you and your family.

  23. Jennifer– You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this trying time in your lives. I can’t imagine how you are feeling, but I want you to know that you are loved, deeply. I never had the pleasure of knowing or meeting your mother, but she had to be a fabulous lady because she raised such a wonderful daughter. I am here if you need a shoulder to cry on or just need a friend to call on, anytime. Love always

  24. Fred and Denise,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of the family. What a wonderful ‘homegoing’ your mother had to be present with our Lord on Easter Sunday! Fred, I am so glad you were with her. Hope to see you soon!

  25. Linda and Charles,
    So sorry to hear about your mother. We love the expression in the obituary, ‘You preach your own funeral’. Our thoughts are with you.

  26. I was filled with great sadness when learned of Avalene’s passing. My condolences to the family their loss .

  27. Linda and Charlie,

    We are so sorry to learn of your loss. We’ve always enjoyed your family stories over the years and know those memories will comfort you in the days to come.

    Looking forward to giving you big hugs in person.

    Cam and Paul

  28. Dear Family,

    Our family wanted you to know how sorry we were to hear about Avalene. She will always have a place in our heart and yet we were so blessed to have such a sweet, wonderful and loving person in our lives. My mom expressed today how much she will be missed and her influence will never be forgotten. Our prayers and love go out to you all.

  29. Fred and family I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a wonderful person and my mom and I were talking about a beautiful person she was and what she meant to everyone in the preschool dept. at Beverly Hills Church. She was a hard working, loving woman and I enjoyed working with her at Beverly Hills.

  30. Fred and Lewis Family,

    We are sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers during this difficult time. If there is any need that we can help fill please let us know.

    Ian & Stephanie Rich

  31. fred, i sure was sorry to hear about your mom’s passing.i know how hard it is to say goodbye,but knowing where she is right now gives us all something to look forward to,take care buddy hope to see you soon.

  32. Fred and Lewis Family
    Fred sorry for your loss. I did not know your mother had passed till some one told me. our prayers are with you and your family in your time of sorrow.

  33. My condolences to the Lewis family on the loss of your loving mother. She was indeed a special lady. We became friends while we both attended HeartPath. I so enjoyed my time spent with her. Her Celebration of Life was comforting and peaceful just as the lovely lady she was. God’s Blessings to All of You. Etta Manfred

  34. Fred,
    I was sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. I know she will be greatly missed, but she will live on in your heart and the wonderful memories you share with your family. Please accept my sincerest sympathy. Love to you and your family.
    Kaye Allen

  35. Did any of us ever thank you ‘Brenda Sue’? I missed you so much after your parents split. If you are ever in my neck of the woods give me a shout.


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