Charles Wilbur Avant

Charles Wilbur Avant of Macon died February 19, 2015. Memorial services will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, February 23, 2015 at Vineville United Methodist Church with Dr. Jimmy Asbell and Reverend Jimmy Duke officiating. Burial will be private at Riverside Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Sunday at Hart's at the Cupola from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Born in Macon, Mr. Avant was a member of Vineville United Methodist Church and the Webb Sunday School Class. He was the son of the late Leon Earl Avant and Gladys Holloman Avant. A veteran of the Korean War serving in France, Mr. Avant was co-founder and Past Master of the Mickey Fuller Masonic Lodge #720 serving as the youngest Master in the state of Georgia at age 26, Past Exalted Ruler of the Macon Elks Club, a member of Idle Hour Club and past member of the Macon Shield Club. In 1958, he entered the insurance business with Paul Revere Life Insurance Company as an agent, later becoming General Manager. In 1971, Mr. Avant formed Avant & Associates, Inc., a brokerage agency, and became a General Agent for Midland National Life Insurance Company and a Regional Manager for Appha Corporation, covering Georgia and South Carolina. In 1979, he was named Regional Vice President for Midland National Life and remained in that position until his retirement in 1995. After his retirement, Mr. Avant remained active in the industry, serving as Director of Ordinary Sales for Cherokee National Life and as a Regional General Agent for National Security Insurance Company. Mr. Avant was preceded in death by two sons, Charles Michael Avant and David Earl Avant, and a brother, Buck Avant. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, JoAnn Braswell Avant, and one son, Jeff Avant (Elizabeth), seven grandchildren, Kayla Avant, Caroline Avant, Mary Wilson Avant, Charlie Avant, Suzanne Avant, all of Macon, Anna Avant and David Avant of Milledgeville, Georgia. He is also survived by one brother, Billy Avant of Macon. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Vineville United Methodist Church or the donor's favorite charity. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.