Cora L. Avants

Cora was born November 27, 1922 in Bennington, Oklahoma to R.S. McMillion and Sarah Jane (Graves) McMillion.

Two months before her passing, Cora celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends. It was the most wonderful day for her and she was the “life of the party”. Cora loved to laugh, talk consistently and tell short stories about days gone by. One week after her party Cora became ill and was admitted to Community Memorial Hospital.

She was a loving mother and the matriarch of the family. Cora was very independent and had lived alone even after the loss of her sight. Cora enjoyed gardening and growing the best tomatoes around. She dearly loved her dog, Chachie.

When Cora was younger she loved to camp with her family. She had fond memories of playing cards and Domino’s around the camp fire.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Herman Clifford Avants in 1993, daughter, Norma Ellis in 2003, son-in-law, Ron Cornwell and grandson, Richard Cornwell.

Cora is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Vicki Avants of Ventura; daughter, Nima Cornwell of New Mexico; grandchildren, Bobbi Ellis-Spoon (husband Doug) of Ventura, Michael Cornwell (wife Bo) of San Francisco, Kelly Avants-Clausen (husband Chris) of Carlsbad, Cynthia Avants-Neville (husband Dan) of Ventura and Tim Cornwell of New Mexico; great grandchildren, Destiny McWhorter, Chelsea Spoon, Brittney, McWhorter, Breanna Spoon, Kyle Neville, Camron Neville, Dallee Cornwell, Westley Cornwell, Tawnya Cornwell, Justin Swapp, Kristen Cornwell-Colburn (husband Jay) and Taylor Cornwell; great great grandchildren, Christian Tamayo, Aubrey Tamayo and Isabella Colburn;

as well as fifty nieces and nephews.

We will miss her dearly. Cora was spirited, outspoken and opinionated even when you didn’t want to hear her.

A special thanks to her neighbors who always looked out for her, brought her dinners and helped her when ever needed. Cora had lived in her home for the past fifty-five years.

Visitation will take place at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, on Friday, February 1, 2013, 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and then again Saturday, February 2, 2013, 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 Noon.

A graveside service will follow at 2:00 P.M., Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Road, Ventura, with the Reverend Dan Hull officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, (805) 643-9977.