Funeral services for Pearlie Downer Avery, 96, of Washington were held Saturday, July 18, 2009, at Flint Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Norman and Rev. G.L. Avery officiating. The interment was in the church cemetery. She died Sunday, July 12, in Wills Memorial Hospital, Washington.

Mrs. Avery was a native of Wilkes County and was the daughter of the late Albert and Sallie Downer. She became a Christian at a young age and joined Flint Hill Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher and on the Mother Board until her health failed. She was the widow of Malcolm Richardson and Roy Avery.

Survivors include three sons, Sam L. Sims of Washington, Irvin and Emma Pittard of Atlanta, and James and Gloria Richardson of Athens; two stepsons, Rev. G.L. Avery and his wife Margaret, and James and Ruby Avery, all of Washington; 35 grandchildren; several great and great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Alberta Towns, Washington, and Annie Laura Porter, Athens.

Grandsons and nephews served as pallbearers.

Davenport-McLendon Mortuary Inc. of Washington was in charge of arrangements.