E. Wayne Avery, 89

Mr. E. Wayne Avery, age 89, beloved husband of the late Ina Crowe Avery of Soperton, passed away Thursday morning, October 23, 2025, at Meadows Park Health and Rehabilitation Center in Vidalia. Funeral services were conducted Monday, October 27, at 11 a.m. at the Soperton Methodist Church with Dr. David Whitworth officiating. Mr. Avery was laid to rest beside his wife in Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Vidalia. Family received friends Sunday, October 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sammons Funeral Home and at the home of his son and daughter in law, David and Lisa Avery, in Soperton.

Serving as pallbearers were Blake Dennard, Scott Drennon, Keith Clark, John Koon, David Onstott, Roger Onstott, Trey Truett and R. J. Dennard.

Born in Emanuel County, Wayne was the youngest and last living of six children born to the late Ernest Wright Avery and Maggie Belle Foskey Avery. He grew up in Emanuel County and was a graduate of Adrian High School, Class of 1954, where he was the Class President. After high school, Wayne attended Georgia Tech and Georgia State in Atlanta and Georgia Southern in Statesboro.

In 1958, he married Fulton County native, Ina Lou Crowe. The newlyweds lived in Atlanta for a short time before moving to Vidalia in 1959. Wayne began a career in the Textile and Apparel Industry in 1957 with Oxford Industries, from where he retired in 1997 as Executive Vice President of Finance. After retiring with forty years at Oxford Industries, he was recruited by A&C Apparel Intl. in Vidalia to fill the position of Chief Financial Officer for an additional five years.

While living and working in Vidalia, Wayne served as President of the Vidalia All Sports Booster Club, the Civitan Club and was the Troop Leader for Cub Scout Troop No. 945. He and his wife were members of the First Methodist Church of Vidalia, as well as Charter Members of Grace United Methodist Church where he served as Chairman of the Board.

In 2006, Mr. and Mrs. Avery moved to Soperton to be near family. Upon arriving in Treutlen County, they joined First United Methodist Church of Soperton where they immersed themselves in church activities and outreach, to include Wayne leading Bible Study and teaching Sunday School.

Above all other interests, Mr. and Mrs. Avery were the doting grandparents who cherished any time that could be spent with their family. The Averys were avid fans of the Georgia Southern Eagles football team where they were season ticket holders for thirty-three years. In addition to his support of the Georgia Southern sports programs, Wayne enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves, Georgia Tech Football, tracing family genealogy and nurturing the plants around his home. Wayne also served in the United States Air Force Reserves. In addition to his parents, Mr. Avery is preceded in death by his wife of sixty-one years, Ina Crowe Avery, who passed away in 2020; siblings, Natha Lodesky, Lanelle Wyatt, LaFon Avery, Ernestine Wilson and Audrey Faye Brantley.

Mr. Avery leaves behind their sons, David Avery (Lisa) of Soperton, Alan Avery (Nancy) of Greenville, NY and Richard Avery (Kim) of Dacula; his beloved grandchildren, Meredith Avery of Statesboro, Katie Avery of Burbank, CA, Lauren Avery of Statesboro, Chandler Avery (Mary Margaret) of Spartanburg, SC and Allison Avery Nall (Rolland) of Greenville, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Floral tributes are appreciated or contributions in his memory may be made to: Soperton Methodist Church, 529 2nd Street, Soperton, GA 30457.

Sammons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.