Jacqueline Avent, age 76, of Signal Mountain, and formerly Sewanee, Tn., died at Erlanger Hospital on June 6, 2007, after sustaining multiple injuries from a fall.

Jackie was born on July 22, 1930, in Peking, China to the late Jeannette Nelson and James Monroe Avent who lived for many years in Sewanee. She attended schools in China, Tennessee, New York and Mississippi before graduating from the University of Georgia and the George Peabody College For Teachers in Nashville, Tn.

She taught school in California before joining the staff of the Children's Museum In Nashville, where she worked for many years before returning to live with her parents in Sewanee.

She is survived by a sister, Mayna Avent Nance, of Richmond, Va., and Sewanee; brother, James Monroe Avent Jr. of Jackson, Tn.; four nephews; one niece; eight grandnieces; three grandnephews and one great-grand nephew. She was preceded in death by a nephew.

Jackie will be remembered by her family and friends for her love of books, music, her wry sense of humor and her incredible memory which did not fade with age.