(As a courtesy from the family, the Celebration of Life will be live streamed. For additional details see below.)

Mr. James C. Avery was born March 20, 1935, in Pass Christian, Mississippi, to the late John and Mary Ellen Avery.  At an early age, he attended First Missionary Baptist Church, Pass Christian, Mississippi.  He attended Randolph High School and later received a GED and Associates Degree while in the U. S. Army.

He met his beautiful wife, Maxie Avery at Gulf Park College in Long Beach in the late 1950s, and they married January 29, 1961. James did two years in the U. S. Army Reserve from 1961-1962 before enlisting in the U. S. Army as a career from 1962 to 1985 when he retired.

Having children and starting a family was very important to James & Maxie, so they started a family soon after marrying. James enjoyed his travels with the military.  He was stationed in Vietnam; Seoul, Korea; Fort Eustis, Virginia; Fort Polk, Louisiana; Wetzlar, Germany; Giessen, Germany(2); Fort Hood, Texas, & Fort Benning, GA(2). As he traveled with the military over the years, he attended several schools and colleges to learn Food Service, Supervisory skills, & Karate.  He achieved a Black Belt in Moodukkwan Martial Arts in Korea in the late 1970s and later received an Associate's Degree in Food Service Management in 1980 from Central Texas College in Fort Hood, Texas.

During his Army career, he received numerous awards and medals and retired in 1985 as a Srgt. First Class. After his retirement, he continued his education by taking courses at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and CBC Navy Base for Profitable Food & Beverage Management.

He also continued to work as a civilian and was employed several places along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, such as; the Copa Casino 1993 to 1998, security/shuttle driver 1998 to 2001, but finally retired after working for the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care Systems in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina.  He was also a very active and dedicated volunteer at Hillside Baptist Church, where he served as an usher and volunteered for various odd jobs.

Mr. James Avery was proceeded in death by his parents, John and Mary Ellen Avery, his firstborn an infant daughter Deidra, his wife, Maxie Lee McInnis Avery, two brothers; John Avery Jr., and Roland Avery; four sisters; Geraldine Thofield, Barbara Bailey, Gwendolyn Lizana, and Linda Morgan.

On July 24, 2020, the Lord needed another angel and called Mr. James C. Avery; he leaves to cherish his loving memories one son, Mr. Alton D. Avery, Gulfport, Mississippi; one daughter, Mrs. Alisa (Wilbert) Calmes New Orleans, Louisiana; two brothers, Mr. Jackie Avery, Biloxi, Mississippi and Mr. Ronald (Reinhild) Avery, Lumberton, New Jersey; two grandchildren, Arianna and Winston Calmes and one Great-grandchild, Arreaux Prader all of New Orleans, Louisiana and a host of other relatives and friends.

View Celebration of Life via Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86866450819?pwd=QkFuQUY2UHdaeGNkcmxQaThOZ0t0Zz09