Genelle Avery was born on August 8,1923 to Fred and Adina Hines. A life- long Houstonian, she grew up on the East side of town with her parents and younger sister Betty Jean ("Tag"). As a teenager she met a young newcomer to the neighborhood, Russell Avery, who became her first and only life's love. Russell and Genelle were married in 1940. They were separated from each other after 69 happy years of marriage upon Russell's death in 2009. For all those years together they remained devout Christians -steadfastly loyal to each other, their family and their God.
Genelle was a very warm and social person. She could easily strike up a conversation with a total stranger. But her real talent was her ability to make life-long friends. As President of the PTA at three different schools and as Parliamentarian at the postal workers’ Lady Auxiliary, she demonstrated her willingness to serve others and in the process won the respect and affection of many. She was also loved by the ladies of her neighborhood and her church. For decades she and Russell enjoyed the company of these friends on camping trips and RV expeditions across America.
Genelle was always up for a challenge. She even reluctantly chose the players on Marvin's first "Peewee league" baseball team when the team manager, her husband Russell, was called in to work on tryout day. She didn't know anything about baseball at that time, but she learned quickly. And the team she picked, the "Panthers", won the pennant in an undefeated season. Her love for baseball reached its zenith when she was able to see the Houston Astros win the World Series this year. At 94 years of age she watched every game, excitedly texting to friends and family as the Astros fortunes rose and fell on the road to their ultimate victory.
If she were to choose a legacy for herself it would be that she valued her family above all else. She always had time for her sons and took a full-time interest in their welfare and pride in their individual activities and achievements. This loving devotion broadened over the years to include nieces and nephews from both her and Russell's side of the family - close relationships that never faltered. Then she welcomed three daughters-in-law when each of her three sons married. She always said they were the daughters she never had. Then came the best part: her love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who could do no wrong in her eyes.
Daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great- grandmother. God bless her and her memory.
Genelle is predeceased by her husband, Russell, her eldest son Richard, her granddaughter Sheri Avery Webster and her sister Betty Jean Boe. She is survived by Richard's wife Lois, son Lee (Kay) , and son Marvin (Marcia) plus six adoring grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren who affectionately called her "Grand-momma".
The family will receive friends for a visitation Tuesday, December 12, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, Texas 77039 with a funeral service held at 1:00 p.m. in the Grand Chapel at Brookside Funeral Home followed by a private burial in Brookside Memorial Park.
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