SHELBY, N.C. — Arthur Edward Avent Sr., 99-½, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 28, 2018, in Shelby, North Carolina.

Born in Sussex County, he was a son of Vernon Thomas Avent and Gracie Grizzard Avent. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Arthur spent most of his life in Southampton County. He loved the Lord, his family and his friends as well as his church, Adams Grove Baptist, where he was a faithful steward of the Lord, having taught Sunday school for over 55 years. He also served as a deacon and choir member.

Arthur served in the Army in WWII, was a charter member of the Adams Grove-Grizzard Ruritan Club and a member of the Gideons.

Left to cherish his memory are two daughters, Dot A. Griffith and Diane A. Seward (Wilson;) and a son, Art E. Avent Jr. (Patsy.) Also left to cherish his memory are his seven grandchildren, Stacy A. Young (Michael,) Stephanie S. Rose (Randy), Dee P. Greene (Kevin,) Stephen C. Seward (Pamela,) Christy A. Powell (Tom,) Kimberly A. Wyngaard (Todd) and Patty A. Wyngaard (Peter.) These grandchildren blessed him with 22 great-grandchildren: The Youngs – Timothy, Zachery, Benjamin, Hannah; the Powells – Tyler, Madisen, Ryland, Blakely, Joshua, Dawson; the Todd Wyngaards – Jacob, Gracie, Kyndall Rose, Kyle; the Peter Wyngaards – Makena, Ike, Edy Rose; the Roses – Kelsey, Nick; the Greenes – Kaylee, Marshall and Garrison.

His special family also includes Greg Sledge (Barbara,) Randy Woodruff (Faye) and Albert Delbridge Jr. (Rebecca.)

Arthur was pre-deceased by his loving wife of 73 years, Ada Belle; brothers, Leroy, Irvin and William; and sisters, Alice, Rosaleen, Louise and Virginia Belle.

We would also like to thank the caregivers, Clara Clark, Carolyn Clontz and Nancy Griggs who made Arthur’s life much easier and made him very loved. A special thanks goes to Clara Clark for being with Arthur at hospice.

The funeral will be in Owen Funeral Home, 303 S. Halifax Road, Jarratt, Virginia, at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31. Visitation will be just prior to the funeral from noon to 1 p.m. with burial in the Greensville Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to organizations of your choice or Adams Grove Baptist in memory of Arthur Avent. Flowers are also welcomed.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.owenfh.com.