Imogene "Jean" Avera

Imogene Waggoner Avera, 87, of Tyler, formerly of Springhill, LA passed away on Sunday, April 15, 2018 in Tyler. Visitations are scheduled in Tyler and in Springhill, LA. The Tyler visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home. The second visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18 from noon until 2 p.m. at Springhill United Methodist Church, 104 4th St. NW, in Springhill. A funeral service will follow that visitation at 2:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of Springhill UMC with Dr. Doug Baker of Marvin United Methodist Church of Tyler, and the Rev. Bill McLain of Springhill UMC officiating. Burial will be in Springhill Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Mortuary in Springhill and Stewart Family Funeral Home of Tyler. Imogene or “Jean” as her family and friends called her was a devoted wife, mother and faithful follower of Jesus. She was born January 2, 1931 in Clarks, LA to L.E. Waggoner Sr. and Bertie Cummings Waggoner. She grew up in Louisiana and was a graduate of Springhill High School. One of her first jobs was at Branch Brothers Motor Co. doing paperwork for the new car sales. That job led her to a position at Citizens Bank, now Citizen’s National Bank in Springhill, where she worked closely with local car dealerships on loan papers. She was promoted to administrative assistant for the president of the bank. It was while she was doing loan papers at the bank that she caught the eye of the local service manager at Springhill Motor Co. Imogene and Marvin James Avera began dating and were married on Oct. 14, 1949.When Marvin joined the U.S. Army the couple moved to Fort Bliss in El Paso where he trained new recruits. When World War II and the Korean Conflict ended the couple settled back in Springhill and into their careers. In 1965, Jean left the bank to become a full-time mom, to Mitzie Jean Avera, their only child. Jean was a long time and faithful member of Springhill United Methodist Church. She served on many committees and boards at the church. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. One day the pastor asked if she could help prepare the sanctuary for Sunday worship each week. Jean agreed and enlisted the help of a friend Virginia Duke and the two of them became known around the church as the “sanctuary angels.” Following the death of her husband in 2011, Jean’s health began to fail causing her to suffer two major falls. She then moved to Tyler to live with her daughter. She attended Marvin United Methodist Church and helped with mission projects as she was able. During the last few months her health was too fragile to leave the home so she stayed active reading Dr. Charles Stanley and Max Lucado books, talking on the phone to family and friends back in Louisiana and reading her Bible. She enjoyed watching the birds outside her bedroom window and her quiet time with Jesus. She greeted each day with a smile, a cup of coffee and her morning prayer time. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents. Survivors include her daughter, Mitzie Jean Avera of Tyler; a brother, L. E. Waggoner, Jr. of Sarepta, LA; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Mission’s Department or the Eternal Flame Fund at Marvin United Methodist Church 300 W. Erwin St., Tyler, TX 75701, Springhill United Methodist Church Youth Building Kitchen Fund, PO Box 545, Springhill, LA 71075 or the charity of your choice.

Imogene "Jean" Avera

January 2, 1931 - April 15, 2018