SARAH ELLIS AVERY
Feb. 5, 1923-Jan. 31, 2012
Sarah Ellis Avery, a native of Rosewood in Wayne County, passed away peacefully Jan. 31, 2012.
She was born Feb. 5, 1923, to the late Herman Weil and Ruby Rose Ellis.
She was the third of nine children, who grew up on the family farm.
A graduate of Rosewood High School, she received her registered nurse degree from Rex Hospital School of Nursing in 1944. She continued her education with post graduate work at Baylor University and the University of Maryland.
Sarah entered the Army Nurse Corps in 1944, and was a veteran of World War II and Vietnam. During her 27-year army career, she was stationed throughout the United States and in Germany, Japan and Vietnam. She loved serving her country and fellow soldiers.
Sarah married Col. Albert M. Avery Jr. Dec. 15, 1962, while both were stationed in Tokyo, Japan. She was a loving wife for nearly 50 years.
Sarah's last overseas assignment was chief operating nurse in the Third Field Hospital in Saigon, Vietnam, where she was in charge of four operating rooms during the Cambodian Offensive. She received a Bronze Star Medal for her bravery and meritorious service. After her return to the states, she retired in 1971 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
In addition to her army career, Sarah loved to travel the world, hike, play bridge, cook, entertain and cross stitch.
She grew up in and attended Methodist churches throughout her lifetime.
She also volunteered in the community.
Her dedication to the nursing profession inspired two sisters and a niece to follow in her footsteps.
Survivors include her loving husband, Albert; a brother, Harold Ellis and wife, Martha Ann, of Goldsboro; and two sisters, Carolyn Thompson and husband, James, of Goldsboro and Cleone Ellis of Apex.
She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, whom she dearly loved and cherished.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Dorothy Perkins, Ruth Best, Rose Kornegay, and two brothers, Herman Ellis and George Ellis.
A service to celebrate Sarah's life will take place Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at 2 p.m. in Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home chapel, 2873 U.S. 117 South, Dudley.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Interment will be in Wayne Memorial Park with full graveside military honors following the service.
The family would like to extend its deepest appreciation to the staff of Windsor Point Continuing Care Retirement Center in Fuquay-Varina for the compassion and personal care it gave to both Sarah and Albert from the day they arrived in 2008.
Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the family, and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on February 2, 2012 1:49 PM