Avent - Person Sheet
Avent - Person Sheet
NameDOZIER, Dorothy Vernon 
Birth Date23 Sep 1928
Birth PlaceSalem, Nash County, North Carolina
Death Date5 Jan 2023 Age: 94
Death PlaceNashville, Nash County, North Carolina
Misc. Notes
Heaven got a little brighter on January 5, 2023, when Dorothy Vernon Dozier Avent (Vernon) died peacefully at home.
Vernon was born in the Nash County community of Salem in 1928 to the late William Earnest and Maggie Armstrong Dozier. She and her four older sisters enjoyed a happy childhood on various farms, and she delighted family members over the years with their girlhood experiences and mischievous antics.
Vernon graduated from Red Oak High School and began her professional career at Peoples Bank in Rocky Mount.
On January 8, 1950, she and Jack Avent were married and lived in the Aventon community for most of their married life. There, they devoted their lives to family, Fishing Creek Baptist Church and to the surrounding community. Vernon later used her banking experience to work in various bookkeeping jobs. Four of the last six years of Vernon's life were spent happily with Jack in Nashville, where they found a welcoming community at Nashville Baptist Church.
For the last two plus years, Vernon has lived in Raleigh near her three doting children, and where she enjoyed visits from grandchildren and great-grandchildren, extended family, dear old friends, and new friends in the Bishops Park community.
Faith, family and friends were the hallmarks of Vernon's life of service. She made a profession of faith when she was eight years old and throughout her 94 years sought to know Jesus Christ better and follow Him more closely. Her greatest joys of church life included a group of young women called the Acteens and Women's Missionary Union. Her desire to serve was inherited from her parents, and her heart for missions was born in the WMU meetings she attended with her mother as a child and as she watched her parents live out their faith without using words. She also spent years in the church choir, as a deacon, and as a Sunday School teacher, finishing up this particular ministry at age 90.
Vernon was known by many names-Mama, Nana, Aunt Vernon, Cousin Vernon, Friend, the Queen, Mentor and Prayer Warrior. She was honored by each title and gave her all to each role. She was forever generous of spirit, giving joyfully of her time, talents and material goods. Jack often teased her that he was afraid he was going to start to bed one night and find she had given their bed away. She gave generously and without expectation to those she saw in need. She also gave her opinion and advice without hesitation, whether asked for or not. Her great zest for life was contagious. Her sense of humor was epic; her laughter, infectious; and her mischief was legendary. No one liked a good practical joke more than she did!
Vernon was preceded in death by her parents; by husband Jack just two years ago; and by sisters, Pattie Mae Baker, Annie Ruth Whitley, Margaret Willie Batchelor and Ernestine Jenkins, and their spouses.
She will live on through an immense treasure of friends and her loving family: her three beloved children, Marsha Avent Van Hecke (Jim) of Raleigh, Susan Avent Rackley (Randy) of Holly Springs and Elliott Avent (Krista) of Raleigh; Nana's adoring grandchildren: Caitlin Van Hecke (Brad Howell) of Asheville, Lindsey Button (Gabe) of Fuquay-Varina, Justin Van Hecke (Jody) of Bluffton, SC, and Mark Rackley (Mackenzie) of Raleigh; and precious great-grands who she delighted in spending time with: Parker Van Hecke, Quinn Elliott Button, Brooks Van Hecke, Maddox Button, Jack Finn Howell, Hayes Van Hecke and Dottie Grace Button, who was born on December 31, 2022, and gave her great-Nana a gift she never expected-to have a grandchild named after her. Nana's eighth great-grandchild is expected in March. Vernon is also survived by a loving multitude of nieces and nephews, who were so attentive to their last connection to this generation, and a great host of multi-generational friends, many of whom consider themselves "family" because Vernon treated them that way.
Vernon was born in the Nash County community of Salem in 1928 to the late William Earnest and Maggie Armstrong Dozier. She and her four older sisters enjoyed a happy childhood on various farms, and she delighted family members over the years with their girlhood experiences and mischievous antics.
Vernon graduated from Red Oak High School and began her professional career at Peoples Bank in Rocky Mount.
On January 8, 1950, she and Jack Avent were married and lived in the Aventon community for most of their married life. There, they devoted their lives to family, Fishing Creek Baptist Church and to the surrounding community. Vernon later used her banking experience to work in various bookkeeping jobs. Four of the last six years of Vernon's life were spent happily with Jack in Nashville, where they found a welcoming community at Nashville Baptist Church.
For the last two plus years, Vernon has lived in Raleigh near her three doting children, and where she enjoyed visits from grandchildren and great-grandchildren, extended family, dear old friends, and new friends in the Bishops Park community.
Faith, family and friends were the hallmarks of Vernon's life of service. She made a profession of faith when she was eight years old and throughout her 94 years sought to know Jesus Christ better and follow Him more closely. Her greatest joys of church life included a group of young women called the Acteens and Women's Missionary Union. Her desire to serve was inherited from her parents, and her heart for missions was born in the WMU meetings she attended with her mother as a child and as she watched her parents live out their faith without using words. She also spent years in the church choir, as a deacon, and as a Sunday School teacher, finishing up this particular ministry at age 90.
Vernon was known by many names-Mama, Nana, Aunt Vernon, Cousin Vernon, Friend, the Queen, Mentor and Prayer Warrior. She was honored by each title and gave her all to each role. She was forever generous of spirit, giving joyfully of her time, talents and material goods. Jack often teased her that he was afraid he was going to start to bed one night and find she had given their bed away. She gave generously and without expectation to those she saw in need. She also gave her opinion and advice without hesitation, whether asked for or not. Her great zest for life was contagious. Her sense of humor was epic; her laughter, infectious; and her mischief was legendary. No one liked a good practical joke more than she did!
Vernon was preceded in death by her parents; by husband Jack just two years ago; and by sisters, Pattie Mae Baker, Annie Ruth Whitley, Margaret Willie Batchelor and Ernestine Jenkins, and their spouses.
She will live on through an immense treasure of friends and her loving family: her three beloved children, Marsha Avent Van Hecke (Jim) of Raleigh, Susan Avent Rackley (Randy) of Holly Springs and Elliott Avent (Krista) of Raleigh; Nana's adoring grandchildren: Caitlin Van Hecke (Brad Howell) of Asheville, Lindsey Button (Gabe) of Fuquay-Varina, Justin Van Hecke (Jody) of Bluffton, SC, and Mark Rackley (Mackenzie) of Raleigh; and precious great-grands who she delighted in spending time with: Parker Van Hecke, Quinn Elliott Button, Brooks Van Hecke, Maddox Button, Jack Finn Howell, Hayes Van Hecke and Dottie Grace Button, who was born on December 31, 2022, and gave her great-Nana a gift she never expected-to have a grandchild named after her. Nana's eighth great-grandchild is expected in March. Vernon is also survived by a loving multitude of nieces and nephews, who were so attentive to their last connection to this generation, and a great host of multi-generational friends, many of whom consider themselves "family" because Vernon treated them that way.
Spouses
1AVENT, Jesse Hopkins , 5G Grandson
, 5G GrandsonBirth Date5 Mar 1927
Birth PlaceAventon, Nash County, North Carolina
Death Date30 Jan 2021 Age: 93
Death PlaceRaleigh, Wake County, North Carolina
FlagsServed in the Military
FatherAVENT, Jesse Lee (1896-1958)
MotherMATTHEWS, Sarah Ellen (1899-1991)
Misc. Notes
Jesse Hopkins “Jack” Avent passed away just a month short of his 94th birthday. Jack was born in the Nash County community of Aventon to the late Jesse Lee Avent and Sarah Ellen Matthews Avent. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Annie Lee Freeman, Robert Avent, Jim Avent and Mary Ellen Mobley, and their spouses.
Jack and Vernon Dozier were married on January 8, 1950 and lived together in the Aventon community for most of their married life. Except for four years in Nashville, where they were welcomed with wide open arms, they lived in Aventon and devoted their lives to their families, to Fishing Creek Baptist Church, and to the community.
Jack was a man of few words, but of many acts of great kindness. He had a fabulous laugh and told many stories and jokes that made others laugh as well. His integrity and work ethic were without equal as he farmed, operated a country store and worked in the fertilizer business with his good friend, the late George Griffin. When Jack wasn’t working, he and Vernon could be found at Doak Field at Dail Park, cheering on the NC State Wolfpack baseball team that his son Elliott has coached for 24 years. Baseball was one of Jack’s lifelong passions. He was a lifetime fan of the NY Yankees and the Wolfpack. Two highlights of his life were getting to see the Yankees play and to be in Omaha in 2013 with the Wolfpack. In his younger years, he also enjoyed golf, company trips with Vernon, and taking care of their house and yard. Into his mid-80s, he could be found on his riding lawn mower, waving to neighbors as they drove by and blew their horns! His last trip to Doak Field was for a scrimmage of the 2021 team in October 2020. Jack has entered into the peace of life eternal. He will now live on in the hearts of those who cherish their memories of him in the countless ways he loved them.
Jack will live on through the treasure of friends and his dear family who loved him: Vernon, his devoted wife of 71 years of Raleigh; his three beloved children, Marsha Avent Van Hecke (Jim) of Raleigh, Susan Avent Rackley (Randy) of Holly Springs, and Elliott Avent (Krista) of Raleigh; and Granddaddy’s four grandchildren, who adored him and are dedicated to now doubly loving their Nana: Caitlin Van Hecke (Brad Howell) of Asheville, Lindsey Rackley Button (Gabe) of Fuquay-Varina, Justin Van Hecke (Jody) of Bluffton SC, and Mark Rackley (Mackenzie) of Raleigh; and Jack Jack’s precious great-grands who he was delighted to get to meet and hug on: Parker Van Hecke, Quinn Button, Brooks Van Hecke, Maddox Button and Jack Finn Van Howell. Jack is also survived by a loving bunch of nieces and nephews and friends too numerous to count, many of whom also consider themselves “family”.
Jack and Vernon Dozier were married on January 8, 1950 and lived together in the Aventon community for most of their married life. Except for four years in Nashville, where they were welcomed with wide open arms, they lived in Aventon and devoted their lives to their families, to Fishing Creek Baptist Church, and to the community.
Jack was a man of few words, but of many acts of great kindness. He had a fabulous laugh and told many stories and jokes that made others laugh as well. His integrity and work ethic were without equal as he farmed, operated a country store and worked in the fertilizer business with his good friend, the late George Griffin. When Jack wasn’t working, he and Vernon could be found at Doak Field at Dail Park, cheering on the NC State Wolfpack baseball team that his son Elliott has coached for 24 years. Baseball was one of Jack’s lifelong passions. He was a lifetime fan of the NY Yankees and the Wolfpack. Two highlights of his life were getting to see the Yankees play and to be in Omaha in 2013 with the Wolfpack. In his younger years, he also enjoyed golf, company trips with Vernon, and taking care of their house and yard. Into his mid-80s, he could be found on his riding lawn mower, waving to neighbors as they drove by and blew their horns! His last trip to Doak Field was for a scrimmage of the 2021 team in October 2020. Jack has entered into the peace of life eternal. He will now live on in the hearts of those who cherish their memories of him in the countless ways he loved them.
Jack will live on through the treasure of friends and his dear family who loved him: Vernon, his devoted wife of 71 years of Raleigh; his three beloved children, Marsha Avent Van Hecke (Jim) of Raleigh, Susan Avent Rackley (Randy) of Holly Springs, and Elliott Avent (Krista) of Raleigh; and Granddaddy’s four grandchildren, who adored him and are dedicated to now doubly loving their Nana: Caitlin Van Hecke (Brad Howell) of Asheville, Lindsey Rackley Button (Gabe) of Fuquay-Varina, Justin Van Hecke (Jody) of Bluffton SC, and Mark Rackley (Mackenzie) of Raleigh; and Jack Jack’s precious great-grands who he was delighted to get to meet and hug on: Parker Van Hecke, Quinn Button, Brooks Van Hecke, Maddox Button and Jack Finn Van Howell. Jack is also survived by a loving bunch of nieces and nephews and friends too numerous to count, many of whom also consider themselves “family”.
Marr Date8 Jan 1950