Sue Avery

Sue Avery

1951 - 2019

Doretha Sue Avery, age 68, passed away on May 15, 2019. She was born in Port Arthur, TX on January 17, 1951 to Robert William Dowden and Bernice Goad Dowden.

Caring and longsuffering, Sue’s outward beauty was eclipsed only by the beauty contained in her heart. She was strong, righteous in her attitude and modest in her example; her near constant ministration for anyone in need, and her care for those she loved, required a strength that persisted until her last breath. From the start of her salvation at age 9, her faith never wavered or diminished. Sue’s passion for the Lord led to her avid, constant study of His Word; almost every Bible that she owned was highlighted all the way through, giving them away often to the benefit of others. If you needed a scripture for any of life’s situations, Sue would readily and easily produce it, and she imparted much of her Godly wisdom as an extremely well liked, knowledgeable and long-time Sunday School teacher. Her love story with the love of her life, Mike, started in their youth, growing up together due to their parent’s friendship. She was the best woman that Mike ever knew. A few years would pass without them seeing one another, until one day, Mike walked into the Carnation, a local sandwich shop, for lunch; he thought she was as cute as a button. Sue was a waitress there and ensured that she was Mike’s waitress. From that day on as Mike witnessed the beauty of her smile, he knew what was most important, quitting night school and making himself available for their relationship and love to flourish. On November 14, 1968 they married and spent the next 50 years together; her meek, caring heart and quiet strength harmonized with his personability and toughness to produce a legacy of love. Together, they helped so many, lifting others up and bringing many through hard situations and tough times. Sue was an artist, loving to draw and sketch, and did so constantly and in the moment; so abundant were her sketches that hardly a drawer was opened, or a book picked up around their house that did not have one of Sue’s drawings. She would use this talent in her career as the owner of a sign and graphics business. “NaNa” was a proud grandmother and attended almost every event or function for her grandchildren. Fiercely protective of her family, her life was family oriented, and she would defend them and their feelings against anything. With her strong faith and selfless modesty, this wonderful Christian finished her journey with a grace and dignity that was unmatched as she handled her struggle with cancer. No matter how difficult it was for her, her attitude was the same, and she prayed and worried about the well-being of those around her. She was happy here, but now she’s happy in her true home, meeting her Lord Jesus and reunited with Mikey. Sue was courageous and fearless; her spirit will live on in the beauty and joy she leaves in the memory of those that loved her.

Left to honor her memory is her loving husband of 50 years, Mike Avery; daughter, Elizabeth “Libby” Jordan and husband, Tim, of Marshall, TX; brothers, Burl Dowden and wife, Colleen, of Crosby, TX and Steven Dowden and wife, Debra; sisters, Nawasa Dowden of Beaumont, TX, Shannon Dowden of Kountze, TX and Anna Dowden of Kountze, TX; grandchildren, Benjamin Jordan, David Jordan, and Jacob Jordan; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Sue is preceded in death by parents; beloved son, Michael Earl “Mikey” Avery; brothers, Earl Dowden and Keenon Dowden; and sister, Laverna Dowden Suire.

Visitation with family and friends will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 24, 2019, at Lumberton Family Funeral Home, 766 S. Main St., Lumberton, TX. Sue’s life honoring service will be on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 12:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church of Kountze, with Bro. Mike Hawkins officiating and burial at Antioch Cemetery, Buna, TX.

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