Frances Ava Avent's Obituary
Frances Ava Roddy Avent, mother, entrepreneur, insurance executive, and librarian, died Friday, November 30, 2018 at age 88 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born to Thomas Carl Roddy and Ervelia Singletary Roddy in Port Arthur, Texas on April 18, 1930.
She then moved to Austin, Texas at age 16 to attend the University of Texas and obtain the only BS Degree in Drama ever conferred. She met her future husband, Austin Attorney and WWII veteran, Richard Gray Avent, after Dick saw her in a play and had to meet her. They were married after a whirlwind courtship and continued to reside in Austin, Texas. Her master’s degree in Drama was cut short when her first child, Ava, arrived one month early. A son, Robert Avent, arrived 3 years later.
The family resided in Austin where Dick practiced law and Frances ran an insurance agency. Frances and Dick were very civically and socially active in Austin. They were avid bridge players and ballroom dancers. They also loved travel both throughout the United States and abroad with their family. Frances also loved genealogy research with sister, Elizabeth Roddy Cecil.
When the children were older, Frances began her master’s in library science at U. T. Austin, and upon moving to Kilgore in 1966, completed her M.S. Degree in Library Science at East Texas University in Commerce (now Texas A&M Commerce). Frances then became Director of Longview ISD Libraries as LISD was placed under the Desegregation Order. There, she was instrumental in ensuring that all incoming teachers and personnel had full access to all library materials and AV equipment.
Frances and Dick loved to travel. To allow all summer free for travel, when the job came open, she moved from her Director position to that of Librarian at Judson Middle School. It was there she received her greatest joy in working with the children and personnel of Judson Middle School.
She was a Life Member of the Texas Ex-Student’s Association and active in Gregg County Texas Exes, Gregg County Law Wives, Prelude (Longview Symphony Guild) and Trinity Episcopal Church. She was an early chair of the Longview Symphony Christmas Corner and was instrumental in designing the bright green booths constructed by Wells Burton.
She leaves as a legacy her lasting impact of encouragement for life-long learning.
She was preceded in death by Richard Gray Avent, her husband of 57 years, sister, Elizabeth Roddy Cecil, and parents, Thomas Carl Roddy and Ervelia Singletary Roddy. She is survived by her daughter Ava Avent Welge (and her husband, Jack Welge, Jr.), and son, Robert Avent (and his wife, Vi); and grandchildren, Kirsten Welge, Kathleen Welge, William Avent, and Scott Avent.
Memorial services will be held at 10 AM Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Longview, Texas with the Reverend Dr. Frank Hughes officiating under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview, Texas. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.
Memorials may be made to the Longview ISD Foundation.
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