Mark Leslie Averitt

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Grace Averitt, his son, Stephen Averitt (Paula), his two grandchildren, Melinda Johnson (Dave) and Christopher Averitt, his Son-in-law, Christopher Popov, sister, Connie Averitt Williams (Jim) and sister, Chris Young (Bob) and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Mark was preceded in death by his father, Richard C. Averitt, and his mother, Beulah Averitt, and his daughter, Kimberly Anne Popov.

Mark loved ministering through music at his church, Washington Heights Baptist Church. He served the Lord by leading congregational hymns in services, singing in the choir, playing the french horn in the orchestra, and participating in the Christmas season chime choir. He received his B.A. in music from Cedarville College in 1967.

Over the years he served as a deacon in church and also taught Bible study classes. His devotion to the Lord was evidenced by his well-read Bible.

He participated in community musical productions through his life including Camelot, Brigadoon, Oliver, The Pirates of Penzance, and South Pacific, and had the lead or supporting role in three of those five musicals. In 1986, The Ohio Federation of Music Clubs awarded Mark and his family the Musical Family of the Year Award.

Astronomy was one of his passions, and he enjoyed using his telescope to view planets and stars in the night sky. He also enjoyed learning about nature and the universe around us, and could engage in very thoughtful conversations pertaining to God's awesome creation.

Mark was active in sports throughout his life and was a pitcher on his Cedarville College baseball team as well as playing the first baseman position in a church softball league until his early 40's. He also was an avid golfer and always looked forward to regularly getting out on the course with friends.

A favorite hobby of Mark's was photography. He learned how to develop his own pictures and always had a camera in his hand at family events.

Since 1972 he worked as a Senior Insurance Claims Adjuster, and became so proficient in his understanding of computer systems that he was put in a position of training employees in the last few years of working in his field. He was at Cincinnati Insurance Company for more than 20 years, retiring in 2010.

Mark was even-tempered, kind-hearted, and humble. All who came to know him grew to enjoy his sharp wit, his subtle humor, positive attitude, and sincere wisdom.

He was always interested in the lives of people he touched. Mark loved his immediate and extended family with the deepest affection and always made time to frequently visit them.

The love of Mark's life was his beloved wife, Grace. Through the years they grew together to show those around them what loyal and devoted matrimony really means. It kept their spirits young. Everyone knew from the beginning that they were meant to be together, and their love and respect for each other was always evident to their friends and family.

We are so grateful to have had Mark in our lives for the time we had. He was such a wonderful gift and our memory of him and all he meant to each of us will always remain in our hearts...until we meet him again.

A visitation for Mark will be held Thursday, December 22, 2022 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Washington Heights Baptist Church, 5650 Far Hills Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45429, followed by a service at 1pm. He will be laid to rest at the Cedarville, Ohio North Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com