Emil "Jim" James Avey

Emil “Jim” Avey

     PARSONS, WV – Emil “Jim” Avey, 89, of Parsons, died Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at Piney Valley Nursing Home, Keyser, WV.

      Born October 31, 1929 in Cumberland, MD, he was a son of the late Arthur Stewart “Jack” and Dorothy Mae (Mohley) Avey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Marvin “Jack’ Avey in 2008 and Miles “Joe” Avey in 2015 and a sister-in-law, Virginia Avey in 2014.

     He is survived by his two sisters, Mary Lou Bane and husband Bill, and Judy Arnold and husband Wayne, all of Keyser.  Also surviving are special  nephews, Mark Avey, Joe, Mike and Pat Bane of Keyser and Steve Arnold, Falling Waters and Scott Arnold, Inwood; 4 special nieces, Ellen Avey Barr, Savannah, GA., Rhonda Avey Bailey, Fla, Kelly Arnold Biggs, Eldersburg MD and Nancy Arnold Sheets, Morgantown; his great nieces and nephews, Crysti Hemerick, Lori Russell, Erin Barr, Robin Hackshaw, Tori Bailey, Katie Biggs, Julia and Christopher Arnold, Megan and Andrew Sheets, Jackson, Miranda and Alexa Arnold, Jesse, Matthew and Joshua Bane, Naomi and Billiejo Bane.  He is also survived by many special cousins and friends many of whom were his hunting and fishing buddies and railroad friends.

     Jim retired from the WM Railroad after 47 years of service and was a US Army veteran.

     He enjoyed the outdoors especially hunting wild turkeys and black bear and other wild game with his late Dad and his brothers.  They were not only father-son-brothers but best friends and buddies who always hunted, fished, traveled, and “hung out” together.   Special gratitude is extended from the family for all these wonderful friends at Heartland, who loved Jim and gave him excellent care.  He always looked forward to attending the annual Avey reunion in Martinsburg in August and dining out with family and friends and traveling.  He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him, but we take comfort knowing it will only be for a little while.

     The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 17, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grace United Methodist Church, 30 S. Mineral Street, Keyser.  Funeral services will be conducted after the visitation at 1:00 p.m. with the Reverend Lauren Godwin officiating.  Interment will follow in Potomac Memorial Gardens, Keyser, where Military Honors accorded by United States National Army And Post #13 Veteran Honor Guard.

      Pallbearers will be Mark Avey, Joe, Mike and Pat Bane, Steve and Scott Arnold.  Honorary pallbearers are: Wayne Arnold, Bill Bane, Bruce Mohley, Clarence Ruppenthal, Bill Ward, Donald Donaldson, Dennis Donaldson and Dale Donaldson.

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, P.O. 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142, Shriners Hospital, 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140 or Operation Smile Train, Operation Blessing International, P.O. Box 2636, Virginia Beach, VA 23450.    

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