Betty Avant

James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel Betty Avant, 83, of Marianna, died Sunday, December 9, 2012 in Chipley. She was born on August 9, 1929 to James and Ivero Watkins. Betty was a member of New Salem Baptist Church and was a Behavior Program Specialist at Sunland where she retired after 30 years of service. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Arlis Avant; her parents, James Shelby Watkins, and Ivero Dean; a brother, Jerry Wayne Watkins. She is survived by two daughters, Arlita Williams Sellers, of Chipley, and Dartha Faulk, of Eden N.C.; a brother, James Lee Watkins, of Jacksonville; five grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 15, 2012 at New Salem Baptist Church. Interment will follow in New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.