S. Avery Ghent Jr.

Greensboro- S. Avery Ghent, Jr., passed away after many years of declining health in the care center at Whitestone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community on Friday May 16, 2014. Funeral services will be at 2 PM, Tuesday, May 20 at Whitestone Chapel with Chaplain Tommy Jones and Reverend Scott Orr officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall at Whitestone. Interment will be on Wednesday, May 21 at 1 PM at Grandview Memorial Park in Rock Hill, SC.

Avery was born September 20, 1930 in Slater, SC to Shelly Avery Ghent and Pearl Bayne Ghent. He was educated in the public schools of Hendersonville, NC. In 1950, Avery enlisted in the US Air Force. He retired as Chief Master Sergeant in the military police with over 28 years of active and reserve service. He held certification as a small arms marksmanship instructor while in the reserve.

Avery joined the US Postal Service in Rock Hill, SC in 1959 as a letter carrier. In 1973, he became Postmaster of the Granite Quarry, NC post office and in 1979, retired due to health issues. After retiring to Marion, NC in 1982, Avery was the owner of Foothills Tax Service for sixteen years and retired again when he and Nancy moved to the Masonic and Eastern Star Home in 2001.

A lifelong Baptist, Avery was a member of Lindley Park Baptist Church and while in Marion, a member of First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.

Avery was a Master Mason in Gate City Lodge #694 being raised in Mystic Tie Lodge #237, Marion, NC. Avery received his twenty-five year pin in 2012. He was a 32 degree Scottish Rite Life member, Greensboro Shrine Club and Oasis Shrine member. He was a member of Rose Chapter #178, Order of the Eastern Star.

Avery was active in the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), and served as President and Secretary of the McDowell Chapter, Past Area I Vice-President for Western North Carolina, Past NC Federation Vice-President, and worked on the Emory, Bailey-Patton Act. He was actively involved in organizing Hospice of McDowell County and served as Treasurer for eight years.

In 1994, he received a certificate of appreciation award for volunteer work from McDowell County. Also, in 1994, he received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service presented by Gov. Jim Hunt. In 1995, Avery received the McDowell County Volunteer of the Year Award for 1994 presented by the McDowell Chamber of Commerce.

On September 8, 1956 he married Nancy Poarch of Rock Hill, SC who survives him. Also surviving are two sons, Curtis Avery Ghent and wife, Jenny, of Salisbury and James Steven Ghent of California, two grandsons, several great-grandchildren, two brothers, Edward and wife Shirley of Stallings and William and wife, Judy, of Salisbury, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Earle, and his parents.

As a Democrat, Avery worked for the under privileged. While in McDowell Co., he and Nancy received the Liston B. Ramsey Award for their work in the 11th Congressional District in Western North Carolina. Avery and Nancy worked as interviewers and wish grantors with the Make-A-Wish Foundation representing Western North Carolina for ten years.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to Shriners’ Children Hospital, c/o Oasis Shrine Temple, 604 Doug Mayes Place, Charlotte, NC 28262 or NC Masonic and Eastern Star Home Foundation, LLC, 700 S. Holden Road, Greensboro, NC 27407.

The family appreciates the care Avery received at Adams Farm Dialysis Center for three years and wants to thank Dr. Mattingly, Dr. Webb and all of the staff. On line condolences may be made to www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com. Hanes-Lineberry Vanstory chapel is assisting the Ghent family.