Virgil Lynn Avans, age 72, of Knoxville, Tennessee passed away peacefully January 4, 2022 in his home in West Knoxville. He was born April 30, 1949 in South Knoxville to Albert "Gene" and Ruby (Clouse) Avans. He was a member of Hillcrest United Methodist Church. He was a 1967 graduate of South High School and graduate of Vanderbilt University where he attended on a football scholarship. He married his high school sweetheart Brenda Kay Brown March 21, 1970 and loved her dearly for 51 years. His two sons, Brad and Chris, were his pride and joy. Family was everything to Virgil. He lived at a ball field with Chris or swim meet with Brad and there was no place he would rather be. He was a lifelong banker (operations manager) with Valley Fidelity Bank, First Tennessee Bank, and Bank President at Community South Bank. His fellow associates loved his humor and care for their well being. Virgil dedicated his life to developing young men through youth sports…especially, baseball. He was involved with CBFO and the Knoxville Stars as both a coach and board member. He also helped coach teams for Diamond Baseball. His passion for his players wasn't in the wins and losses but in the men they became. He followed them and their parents well after baseball was over. When his grandkids came into the picture, he devoted his time and energy into loving and supporting those 3 boys (Cade, Kemp, and Grayson). If they had a ballgame he was in the stands. He didn't miss one of their events especially baseball. He loved the game of baseball and used it to turn boys into men! Virgil and Brenda enjoyed traveling with family and their forever friends Mike and Becky Browning, Roy and Paulette Aaron and John and Carolyn Schoolcraft. He had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deeply positive way!!
Preceded in death by father Albert Eugene Avans, mother Ruby Mae Avans, father-in-law Austin Brown, mother-in-law Linnie Kate Brown, brother-in-law Richard Brown, brother-in law Johnny Rauhuff, sister-in-law Hazel Brown.
Virgil is survived by his wife, Brenda Kay Avans; sons Brad (Hope) and Chris (Kimberly) Avans; grandsons, Cade, Kemp, and Grayson Avans; brothers, Craig (Suzanne) Laman, Dave (Linda) Avans; sister, Joy (Gerald) Fender, Darryl (Carol) Avans; brother-in-law, OJ Brown; sister-in-law, Genia Rauhuff; several nieces; nephews and a host of friends.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Daniel Ibach and Dr. Joseph Meyer and their staffs for their care and concern during Virgil's illness.
Family will receive friends Saturday, January 8, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM in the chapel of Berry Funeral Home with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 7:00 PM, Rev. Monty Walton officiating. The Memorial Service will be live-streamed on the Berry Funeral Home Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hillcrest United Methodist Church 1615 Price Avenue Knoxville, TN 37920, Feeding the Orphans 215 Center Park Drive Knoxville, TN 37922, or Diamond Baseball Foundation 200 Center Park Drive Knoxville, TN 37922.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berryfuneralhome.com for the Avans family.
