James Avery Womble

A Memorial service for James Avery Womble, 81, of Tyler, Texas, will be held on Monday, July 14, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Glenwood Church of Christ with James Fife and Ronnie White officiating. Prior to service, a private family burial will be held at Haven of Memories in Canton, Texas under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Avery passed from this life on Friday, July 11, 2014 at Hospice of East Texas Home Place in Tyler. He was born April 14, 1933 to Jim and Ruth Womble in Walton, Texas. Avery graduated from Martins Mill High School and Henderson County Jr. College. He also attended East Texas State College and graduated from Gupton-Jones Mortuary College in Dallas. He married JoAnn Strickland on July 5, 1952 in Canton. Avery served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. Avery’s careers began at Eubank Hardware and later at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton, Texas. He then began a 23 year career as a district supervisor for Skillern Drugs before moving to his most rewarding career as a contractor and an estimator in construction where he remained until his retirement. Avery was a faithful member and servant of the Glenwood Church of Christ for almost 44 years, serving for over 20 years as a deacon in various capacities, including overseeing the senior’s ministry. He delivered for Meals on Wheels for many years. Avery touched many people through his generous and caring servant’s heart. Avery was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Ruth Womble; brother, Pete Womble and wife Mae; brother-in-law, Bill Strickland and sister-in-law Eloise; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Homer and Hazel Strickland; niece, Susan Womble and nephew, Richard Strickland. He is survived by his loving family including his wife of 62 years, JoAnn Womble; sons, Randy Womble of Tyler, Texas, Bryan Womble and wife Gigi of Allen, Texas; daughter-in-law, Rhonda Womble of Tyler, Texas; grandchildren, Michael Womble and wife Abbe of Dallas, Texas, Blake Womble and wife Courtney of Katy, Texas, Jennifer Ishmael and husband Brandon of McKinney, Texas, Marcus Womble of Hurst; great-grandchildren, Avery, Hank, Sadie, Cooper and Preston Womble; brother, Horace Womble and his wife Nelda of Walton, Texas; brother-in-law, Paul Strickland and his wife Dee of Austin, Texas; sister-in-law, Brenda Armstrong of Longview, Texas; special family friend, Sarah Clark and her family of Lubbock, Texas and many more nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Gary Gross, MD, Dr. Eric Smith, MD, Dr. Mark Greenburg, MD and Dr. Raul Torres-Heisecke, MD and their respective staffs for the many years of compassionate care. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Elam, Bob Betts, Charles Shelton, Dr. William Smyth, Darwinn Kolle, Richard Leard, Bill Wallace, Jack Hooper and Fred Kniffen. Visitation is scheduled from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Sunday, July 13, 2014 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cancer Foundation for Life, c/o Dr. Gary Kimmel, PO Box 8257, Tyler, Texas 75711 or Christian Homes and Family Services, PO Box 13359 Hwy 155 S., Tyler, Texas 75703.

James Avery Womble

April 14, 1933 - July 11, 2014