Mr. Avants married Dorothy Ellen Black in 1967 in Cleburne.

He was a retired truck driver for Ft. Worth Steel and Machinery with 30 years of service and a member of the Wesley Memorial Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy Avants of Cleburne; son, Calvert Avants, Jr. and wife Cheryl of Cleburne; daughters, Dianne Ratlif of Crowley, Darlene Smith and husband Rick of San Antonio; step-daughters, Jeannie Midgett, Cynthia Brown and Rhonda Tatum all of Cleburne; step-son, David Burrow and wife Susie of Cleburne; 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; brothers Roy Avants and wife Carolyn of White Settlement, Marvin Avants and wife Pat of Azle and Garvis Avants and wife Cathy of Tyler; sisters, Patsy Amick and husband Mike of Mt. Pleasant and Wynema Cargil of Tenn.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Pete Avants and step-daughter, Julia Ann Sudweeks.