Reba Ann Cross Avery was born on June 20, 1941, in Cumby, Texas, to Jack and Vallie Cross. She was welcomed into the world by her parents and eight older brothers, all of whom have passed on before her. On Saturday, August 27, 2022, she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.
Reba is survived by her husband of 61½ years, Denver Avery; children; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. She married Denver Avery on February 4, 1961, in Delight, Arkansas, where they built a life and a home filled with children, love and laughter.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband Denver and their three children: Pam Hayward (David), Karen Kitchens (Shane), and Mike Avery (Becky); four grandsons: Marcus Hudgins (Jessie), Todd Avery (Amy), Jesse Kitchens (Ruth), and Tyler Kitchens (Chelsea); one granddaughter: Lindsey Roach (Micah); nine great-grandchildren: Makina Hudgins, Ashtyn Hudgins, Owen Roach, Ivan Roach, Quinn Roach, Olivia Kitchens, Emelia Avery, Denver Avery, and Avery Kitchens; one sister-in-law: Mary Staggs (Larry); and many nieces and nephews along with countless Delight Bulldog Alumni. When Mike married Becky, Reba gained three more granddaughters: Monica Teel (Jason), Misty Cox and Cassondra Cox and many more great-grandchildren.
Reba was a member of and faithfully attended Delight First Missionary Baptist Church where she served as Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher and official chocolate and coconut pie maker. She loved a good potluck and all the visiting that came with it. She was bursting with pride when Owen sang a special with the youth choir just two weeks ago.
She was a devoted Bulldog fan and followed every basketball, softball, or track event that her children participated in. She could always be found with a purse of sandwiches that would be presented at the first hint of hunger in the bleachers. Long after her children graduated, she was still an avid supporter.
Ms. Reba, as she was affectionally known to the children that passed through the Delight School system for many years, worked in the school cafeteria for 27 years. It would not be an exaggeration to say she fed most children, now adults, in this area. She was asked for recipes occasionally but most often for the famous school rolls and school soup. At a recent fundraiser, she made a crock pot of soup. Not one bowl of the soup was sold to the public; all was purchased by the fundraiser workers.
The activities outside the home would make one wonder how she managed to raise a family to attend church faithfully, work a job, can all the fresh garden vegetables for winter, sew all the clothing for herself and her children and still teach her family to love each other and Jesus. The answer is, she and Denver made a life that is a testament to their union of marriage and vows before God. The lived with honor and work ethic that was instilled in each of their children and they are both respected in the community as honest hardworking people
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Proverbs 31:28
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 31, at Delight First Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Brian Sellers officiating.
Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday night at the church.
Interment will be in Bowen Cemetery.
Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.