Obituary of Leona May Avery

~~My mother, Leona May Avery, was born in Kalamazoo, on August 19, 1922 to Lewis and Minnie Sanders; leaving her earthly home on October 17, 2017.
Being a Seventh Day Adventist, she married my father, Alvin Avery, at Seventh Day Adventist Camp Meeting, carrying
a bouquet of white gladiolus. She later, gave birth to four girls, Carol, Janice, Del Kaye and myself, Barbara. There is not much in this life she loved more than my sisters and I.
Most of her life she was a mother and house wife, however, when I was in junior high school she managed the Swiss Pretzel at West Main Mall, in Kalamazoo. She was fondly known by several people, as the “Pretzel Lady.” She also loved to help others, serving in the Dorcas, a women’s ministry, at her church.
Each of her four daughters gave her grandchildren, whom she loved deeply. Her oldest daughter and her husband, Carol and Dave  Sayles,  had  three  children;  Brett,  David, and Leann. Janice and her husband Gary Rose, had three beautiful daughters; Kara, Heather, and Kristin. Del Kaye and her husband Mark Carley, had three children; Amanda, Mark and Jaimie. Myself, her youngest daughter Barbara and my husband John Martin; had four children Robert, Justin, Jenna and Brittany.
My Father deeply loved my mother. My mother often spoke of how much she missed him. She talked of feeling his presence near her, and loved him dearly each day of her life. Their earthy bodies will now be buried together, until the joyous Resurrection Day.
In these last few years, my sister Janice lived with her providing a caring companion, friend and caretaker. It’s difficult to express how blessed we are to have had that time together. My mother was thankful for her daughter’s loving devotion, even though challenging times.
Mother and Janice enjoyed watching baseball together. Her favorite player was Jose Altuve. She would have been so happy that the Astros are playing in the World Series!

~~We celebrated her 95th birthday this year, we are so thankful for the time God blessed us with her. Mother believed she had been given this time for a purpose. Over the past few years she developed a close relationship with her great grandchildren, McKinna, John Cley and Kaiden. They became very special to her. She didn’t feel like she would have had the opportunity to see their birth or watch them grow. She often expressed gratitude to God for allowing her this blessing.
She thanked God openly for lovingly caring for her, healing her when she was sick, when the doctors had given little hope. She believed he had given her more time to share with her family about his unfailing love. She wanted her family    to place their trust in him, to experience the great things he had done in her life. She has prayed for each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to walk with Jesus. God answered her prayers leading several of us into a relationship with him.
Many times, in my life, my mother’s prayers have carried me through. I certainly didn’t make teenage years easy for her. I’m certain she was awake many nights, scared and worried... praying. Yet, even when I was not lovable, she loved me, continuously forgiving my poor choices. Not only in her heart, but through her actions.
Over the last year, we had many conversations about her   fear of death. She felt she hadn’t done all she needed to do, she wasn’t good enough, to be with Jesus in her heavenly home. We talked about Jesus providing the way, through his payment for ALL of our sin. We talked about how we could never do enough, or be good enough, to earn our way to heaven .... no matter how hard we try. She came to greater peace in knowing she would meet Jesus and look into his wonderful face. My Pastor’s wife was so loving, offering scriptures of hope, forgiveness and healing to her soul.
Mom, I am thankful God graciously, chose you to be my mother. He knew exactly who you are, your strength, your weakness, and he perfectly chose you to love and care for me. I will thank him all the days of my life for choosing, my advocate, my friend, my mother. I love you Mom.