Former Athens Resident Avis Inez Edwards Nunnally Dies in Chattanooga

Avis Inez Edwards Nunnally of Chattanooga, TN, formerly of Athens, GA, died on May 13, 2013, in Chattanooga. Funeral service will be held at Bogart First Baptist Church in Bogart, GA, on Saturday, May 18 at 2:00 PM with the Rev. Bill Hayes officiating. Burial will follow at the church. The family will receive visitors before the service at the church.

Avis was born in Oconee County, Georgia, on March 18, 1925. After living in Greenville, MS, she attended Bogart High School and graduated at the age of 15, sharing the award of class valedictorian with her brother, Howard. She earned a business degree from Athens Commercial Business School and worked at the Clarke County Health Department. While raising a family, she also earned her bachelor’s degree from Howard Payne College, Brownwood, TX. Avis was a gifted science, math, and English teacher in Georgia, Florida, Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. She earned her master’s degree and postgraduate hours from Georgia State University and the University of Georgia.  

Avis was an active church member in all the communities she lived in throughout her life, serving faithfully at Bogart First Baptist Church; First Methodist Church of Santa Anna, TX; Sandy Springs Christian Church of Atlanta, GA; and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Chattanooga, TN. She was an avid reader and channeled her creativity through painting, gardening, and sewing for her children.  Her family was her highest priority.

Avis, 88, is survived by her children Tommy (Kay) Hays of Austin, TX; Susanna (Craig) Parker of Manhattan, KS and Jody (Michael) Seiferth of Chattanooga, TN; grandchildren Monica (Barry) Bocaner, Nicole Seiferth, Damon (Lindsay) Parker, Ashlee (Craik) Davis, Jeremy Parker (Emily Jenkinson), Grant (Rachael) Parker, Kathryn Seiferth; five great-grandchildren (soon to be seven), and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Dana Weaver and family, and Michele Jones and family. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lewis G. Nunnally; brother, Howard Dawson Edwards: parents Howard & Inez Edwards and Tom & Annabelle Hays.  She also leaves behind her faithful canine companion, Rascal.

The family is extremely grateful to Avis’s caregivers, Susan Seiferth Townsend, Laura Meroney, Pam Higgdon, and Kathy Pursley who provided loving care and companionship in her final years. 

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home of Athens will handle arrangements.