Dorothy Delia Avery

Dorothy Delia Avery passed away peacefully on June 26, following a brief illness. She was born December 2, 1908 to Charles and Lula (Bayn) Holmes of Homer. She graduated from Homer High School in 1927, and received her teaching certificate from Calhoun County Normal. She taught at the Fisher Corner School in Homer Township for two years.

She married Melvin Avery, July 5, 1933, who preceded her in death on August 28, 1979. As a homemaker, she assisted her husband in farming. She resided in the Fisher’s Corner area of Homer Township most of her life and was active in the community. She organized the Lucky Clover 4-H Club in 1950 and served as its leader for many years. She was a member of the Willing Workers Club of Fisher Corners. Mrs. Avery was also a member of the Calhoun County Extension Club and the Farm Bureau Discussion Group. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Stella Chapter # 140 Order of The Eastern Star and the Hanna Tracy Grant Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

She enjoyed traveling, flowers, area birds and crafts. She crocheted over 75 afghans to give to family and friends, and in 2001 she donated two afghans to the Avery and Holmes families as fund-raisers at their reunions. In 1981, she was instrumental in organizing and hosting the annually Holmes family reunion, which continues.

She is survived by daughter, Ruth Ann (David) Keefer of Palo Alto, California, and daughter-in-law, Helen Avery of Litchfield, Michigan; six grandchildren, Kathy Chase, Wendy Chase, Matthew Snyder, Michael (Lynn) Avery, G. John, (Justine) Keefer, and Talbot Keefer, seven great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters Shirley Gregg of Traverse City and Marjorie Bunnell of Canton, Michigan. Many nieces and nephews also survive her.

Along with her husband, Dorothy also was preceded in death by daughter, Betty Chase and son, Richard James Avery, sisters, Marie Norton, Doris Thomas, Grace Holmes, Marguerite Waggoner and Ruth Miller, brothers, Kenneth Holmes and Gerald Holmes and great grandson Timothy Avery.

Visitation for family and friends will be Monday, July 1, 2013 at 10:00 AM at the

J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home, 811 Finley Drive, Albion, Michigan 49224.

Funeral Service will be Monday, July 1, 2013 at 11:00AM at the funeral home with Pastor Tim Marvil of the Homer Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery, Homer.

Memorial expressions may be made to the Homer Community Foundation Fund or the Homer Library Fund, both located at 104 S. Hillsdale St., Homer, Michigan, 49245.