Avent - Person Sheet
Avent - Person Sheet
NameAVEN, Dr. Russell Edward PhD 
, 6G Grandson
, 6G GrandsonBirth Date1923
Birth PlaceWater Valley, Yalobusha County, Mississippi
OccupationProfessor of Chemical Engineering
Death Date08 Jun 2025 Age: 102
Death PlaceOxford, Lafayette County, Mississippi
FlagsServed in the Military, World War II
FatherAVEN, Elmer Carter (1893-1974)
MotherMOORE, Clara Mae (1897-1998)
Misc. Notes
Dr. Russell Edward Aven, age 102, went home to be with the Lord on June 8, 2025. He was surrounded by all his family as he peacefully crossed over Jordan and into the promised land of Heaven.
Russell “Russ” Edward Aven was born in Water Valley, Mississippi to Elmer Carter Aven and Clara Mae (Moore) Aven. He had a happy childhood surrounded by Aunts, Uncles and cousins as he grew up in Water Valley. Whenever his family got together there was sure to be good food, fun and lots of lively stories!
He was a member of the North Main Methodist Church, which was a large part of his family’s life. Russell attended the Water Valley schools, becoming interested in math and science, and upon graduating high school, he went on to further his education.
Russell Aven enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944-1946. He was assigned to the USS Braxton (APA 138) which was involved in the Okinawa Campaign. Russell Aven was appointed the position of Chemical Warfare Agent, whose job it was to create a smoke screen to hide the fleet from Japanese Kamikaze suicide bomber attacks. After the two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, The Braxton took the first marines into Tokyo Bay to occupy Japan. The Braxton had the honor of sending in the first troops to plant the American Flag on occupied soil.
After the close of World War II, Russell married the love of his life, Delma Barber on July 10, 1954. Their union was blessed with two children, Debra Gay Aven and Anson Abbe Aven. Russ and Del enjoyed 70 years of happy marriage together.
He received his Bachelor’s of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Mississippi, and his PhD from the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Aven was a member of several professional societies including The American Institute of Chemical Engineering, The American Chemical Society, and The American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was inducted into the honorary societies of Phi Kappa Phi (Scholastic Society) and Sigma Xi (Scientific Research Society).
Dr. Aven’s work experience began as a Laboratory Chemist, E.I., for the DuPont Company at Sabine River Works, Orange, Texas from 1946-1948. He became employed by The National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as an Engineer developing the technology for Nuclear Power from 1951-1956. He moved from Oak Ridge, Tennessee to Oxford, Mississippi, taking the position of Professor of Chemical Engineering at The University of Mississippi from 1956-1996.
In 1966 he was selected as “Teacher of the Year” for the School of Engineering. One of his student’s wrote, “I wanted you to know that your positive influence on me is still bearing fruit, even today.”
Russell Aven was also a member of First Baptist Church in Oxford where he served as deacon, taught Sunday School and led in opening devotions for many years. He also served as a Gideon, supplying New Testament Bibles to school children and others who needed God’s Word. He wrote many devotionals throughout the years and in 1982, Broadman Press published a collection of his devotional writings entitled, Devotions for Laymen by a Layman.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Clara Mae Aven, by his wife, Delma Barber Aven and by his son, Anson Aven and survived by his daughter Debra Swartzendruber (John).
Russell “Russ” Edward Aven was born in Water Valley, Mississippi to Elmer Carter Aven and Clara Mae (Moore) Aven. He had a happy childhood surrounded by Aunts, Uncles and cousins as he grew up in Water Valley. Whenever his family got together there was sure to be good food, fun and lots of lively stories!
He was a member of the North Main Methodist Church, which was a large part of his family’s life. Russell attended the Water Valley schools, becoming interested in math and science, and upon graduating high school, he went on to further his education.
Russell Aven enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944-1946. He was assigned to the USS Braxton (APA 138) which was involved in the Okinawa Campaign. Russell Aven was appointed the position of Chemical Warfare Agent, whose job it was to create a smoke screen to hide the fleet from Japanese Kamikaze suicide bomber attacks. After the two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, The Braxton took the first marines into Tokyo Bay to occupy Japan. The Braxton had the honor of sending in the first troops to plant the American Flag on occupied soil.
After the close of World War II, Russell married the love of his life, Delma Barber on July 10, 1954. Their union was blessed with two children, Debra Gay Aven and Anson Abbe Aven. Russ and Del enjoyed 70 years of happy marriage together.
He received his Bachelor’s of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Mississippi, and his PhD from the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Aven was a member of several professional societies including The American Institute of Chemical Engineering, The American Chemical Society, and The American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was inducted into the honorary societies of Phi Kappa Phi (Scholastic Society) and Sigma Xi (Scientific Research Society).
Dr. Aven’s work experience began as a Laboratory Chemist, E.I., for the DuPont Company at Sabine River Works, Orange, Texas from 1946-1948. He became employed by The National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as an Engineer developing the technology for Nuclear Power from 1951-1956. He moved from Oak Ridge, Tennessee to Oxford, Mississippi, taking the position of Professor of Chemical Engineering at The University of Mississippi from 1956-1996.
In 1966 he was selected as “Teacher of the Year” for the School of Engineering. One of his student’s wrote, “I wanted you to know that your positive influence on me is still bearing fruit, even today.”
Russell Aven was also a member of First Baptist Church in Oxford where he served as deacon, taught Sunday School and led in opening devotions for many years. He also served as a Gideon, supplying New Testament Bibles to school children and others who needed God’s Word. He wrote many devotionals throughout the years and in 1982, Broadman Press published a collection of his devotional writings entitled, Devotions for Laymen by a Layman.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Clara Mae Aven, by his wife, Delma Barber Aven and by his son, Anson Aven and survived by his daughter Debra Swartzendruber (John).
Spouses
Birth Date05 Oct 1928
Birth PlaceO’Tuckalofa, Yalobusha County, Mississippi
Death Date22 Dec 2024 Age: 96
Death PlaceOxford, Lafayette County, Mississippi
Misc. Notes
Delma (Del) Barber Aven, (Age 96), peacefully left this earth for her home in Heaven on December 22, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.
Del was born on October 5, 1928 in Yalobusha County, at O’Tuckalofa near Water Valley, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Forest and Ora Harvey Barber. Del and her husband, Russell E. Aven, enjoyed 70 years of marriage.
Del was a member of Oxford First Baptist Church since 1956. In service to her Savior, she was director and teacher of the pre-school department, worked in the extension department, was a member of the Friendship Sunday School Class, worked in the media center recording church services for many years, and taught Bible classes for international students. She was a member of the Explorer’s Bible Study, the Gideon’s Auxiliary and did volunteer work at the hospital.
Del received her B.A.E. and M.A.E. degrees from The University of Mississippi and taught at Camp Ground and Water Valley schools for six years. Del enjoyed art, photography and occasionally wrote material for various Christian publications. Del had two books for children published. In 2015 she wrote and published Blessings Through the Years, a collection of her life stories from the depression era and up. Del counted it a blessing to be a caregiver for several members of her family. She loved her family and her family loved her so much.
Del is survived by her husband, Russell, her daughter, Debra (John) Swartzendruber, and two granddaughters, Abbey and Gracie Swartzendruber. She is preceded in death by her parents, Forest and Ora Barber, sister, Myra Barber, and son, Anson Aven.
Del was born on October 5, 1928 in Yalobusha County, at O’Tuckalofa near Water Valley, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Forest and Ora Harvey Barber. Del and her husband, Russell E. Aven, enjoyed 70 years of marriage.
Del was a member of Oxford First Baptist Church since 1956. In service to her Savior, she was director and teacher of the pre-school department, worked in the extension department, was a member of the Friendship Sunday School Class, worked in the media center recording church services for many years, and taught Bible classes for international students. She was a member of the Explorer’s Bible Study, the Gideon’s Auxiliary and did volunteer work at the hospital.
Del received her B.A.E. and M.A.E. degrees from The University of Mississippi and taught at Camp Ground and Water Valley schools for six years. Del enjoyed art, photography and occasionally wrote material for various Christian publications. Del had two books for children published. In 2015 she wrote and published Blessings Through the Years, a collection of her life stories from the depression era and up. Del counted it a blessing to be a caregiver for several members of her family. She loved her family and her family loved her so much.
Del is survived by her husband, Russell, her daughter, Debra (John) Swartzendruber, and two granddaughters, Abbey and Gracie Swartzendruber. She is preceded in death by her parents, Forest and Ora Barber, sister, Myra Barber, and son, Anson Aven.
Marr Date10 Jul 1954
ChildrenDebra Gay