Mrs. Fayma Louise Howell Avent, a native of Shelby, NC, was born to the late Famon Whitney and Alice Louise Wilson Howell on December 6, 1950. She departed this life on Saturday morning, May 1, 2021 at Duke Hospice in Durham, NC.

On June 28, 1980, Fayma was joined in holy matrimony to James Edward Avent, Jr. To this union was born two daughters, Allison Elaine Avent and Alexis Kristine Avent. In addition, Fayma reared and raised a son, Adam Maurice Avent.

Fayma was educated in the Shelby Public School system and briefly attended Allen Preparatory School in Asheville, NC. She graduated from Shelby High School in 1968. Fayma received the Bachelors Of Arts (1972) and the Masters of Education (1973) degrees in Speech Pathology and Audiology from the University Of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was initially licensed as a Speech Pathologist in 1976, and concurrently completed her Certificate Of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology.

She worked for the Greensboro City School /Guilford County School system for forty years, retiring in 2012. After retirement, Fayma served as a Speech Pathologist consultant for the Guilford County Schools until February, 2020. As a dedicated educator, she cared about and touched the lives of many children and later their children.

Fayma as a leader in the St. James Presbyterian Church served in many positions, notably, Moderator Of The Board Of Deacons and Girl Scout leader. Whatever the Church asked of her, she would do it with a smile and the task with excellence.

Fayma’s spiritual journey began in her early childhood with her baptism at Shiloh Baptist Church, Shelby, NC in which her Mother was a leader and hard worker who mentored Fayma and many other children there, inclusive of the family.

Fayma was preceded in death by her parents, uncles, aunts, cousins and other family members.

Left to cherish her loving memory are her husband, James E. Avent Jr., son Adam M. Avent, daughters, Allison E. and Alexis K. Avent, as well as a host of cousins, family members and friends.

MAY THE WORK I HAVE DONE SPEAK FOR ME

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the cancer society.

A public viewing will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 12pm-2pm in the Cassie Coote-Brown Memorial Chapel of Perry J. Brown Funeral Home.. A private graveside service honoring her life will be held on Friday, May 14, 2021 at Lakeview Memorial Park.

Services Entrusted to Perry J. Brown Funeral Home (336)-272-6109