Avis C. Bynum

BYNUM, AVIS DEBORRAH CLARK Age 93 of Tarrant, went to her heavenly home on October 14, 2010. She was predeceased by her dearly loved husband on April 14, 2006 (their 68th wedding anniversary). Born December 10, 1916 near Oxford, AL to Hugh Pratt Clark and Alma Songer Clark, Avis moved with her family to Tarrant in 1923 and entered Tarrant Elementary School. At age 16 she graduated from Jefferson County High School where she was elected to the National Honor Society. In 1934 she graduated from Massey Business College. Avis grew up in Central Baptist Church. She served as Church Secretary for several years under the pastorship of Dr. Crossway. She held several positions for the City of Tarrant and later was secretary of Tarrant Elementary School. On April 14, 1938 Avis married F.G. Bynum of Tarrant-it was truly a marriage made in heaven. F.G.'s beloved pastor since childhood, the Reverend George Elliott of Rock Methodist Church, officiated at their wedding. When F.G. started his business, Avis worked alongside, doing a variety of tasks. In 1952 Avis joined F.G.'s church, Rock Methodist, and continued her service in numerous areas. She sang in the choir for 42 years, was chairman of the Parsonage Committee and was very active in United Methodist Women. Avis was very civic-minded. She was President of the Library Board, served on the Tarrant Beautification Committee and was secretary of the Tarrant Renewal Committee. As a member of Cheerful Gardeners Club over a period of 58 years, Avis served as President and held several other offices. She cherished every member of that group. Her love of gardening won for her own yard The City of Tarrant Beautification Award. Patriotism was another strong point in Avis's life. She served as Founding and Charter President of the MacArthur Republican Women's Club and was very active in the State Republican Women's organization. They worked diligently in many campaigns at the local and national level. She was an active supporter of Eagle Forum for many years. Among her personal pleasures were reading, playing the piano, listening to music, doing needlework, scrapbooking, and traveling. Everything she did was done quietly and without fanfare. She touched many lives and will not be soon forgotten. In addition to her loving husband, F. G. Bynum, Avis was also predeceased by a brother, Alvin Clark; her parents, Hugh Pratt Clark and Alma Songer Clark; and grandparents, Matilda Alice Muers Songer and George Washington Songer, and Frances Lou Jeanne Bannister Clark and John Adams Clark. She is survived by a brother, Louis Clark and his wife Betty of Bessemer; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Clark of Tullahoma, TN; a brother-in-law, George D. Bynum and his wife Lila of Hoover; and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, October 18 at Ridout's Roebuck Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Officiating will be the Reverend Patrick Turner, Pastor, Rock Methodist Church, Tarrant.

Published in The Birmingham News from October 16 to October 17, 2010 Email

Facebook

Bookmark

Share

Print

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's-Brown-Service Roebuck Chapel, Birmingham, AL.