Avalon Toreno Napier was born on March 8, 1961, in Polk County, Florida, to Hazel and Paul Napier, Sr.

He departed this life on May 6, 2026.

Avalon attended Mulberry Elementary School, Bethune Middle School, and Haines City Junior and Senior High Schools in Haines City, Florida. He later attended Miami Dade College, where he earned a degree in Mortuary Science.

Avalon proudly served in the United States Navy from February 1986 through April 1992 as a Hospital Corpsman. During his military service, he earned several honors, including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Award, National Defense Service Medal, and Battle “E” Award in recognition of his honorable service, professionalism, dedication, and commitment to excellence.

Throughout his life, Avalon worked in many professional roles. He worked as a Sales Representative for Nabisco in the Atlanta area, owned and operated Man Operators, where he traveled throughout the country building displays for Lowe’s stores, served as an Executive Chef for Sodexo, worked as an Operator for FedEx in Memphis, and later worked for Johnson & Johnson as a Package Operator in Jacksonville, Florida.

Avalon was known for the love and respect he showed to everyone who crossed his path. He was affectionately known as the “Baby Whisperer” and “The Gadget King.” He had a special gift for calming babies within moments, and because of his love for cooking and building things, he always seemed to have every gadget imaginable.

Avalon enjoyed fishing, cooking, building things, and traveling. Most importantly, he deeply loved his family.

Avalon is survived by his loving wife, Shelita Napier; son, Avalon Kamari Holley-Napier, Sr; daughter, Angel Hampton (Jeffery); son, Avalon Napier Jr. (Dymond); stepson, Jeffery Nelson Jr. (Carmen); stepdaughter, Angelique Westberry (Samantha); mother, Hazel Napier Leonard; sisters, Jamera Napier (Artemio), Jamira Lahn (Moeub), Annie Lois Allen, and Pamela Lewis (Wendell); grandchildren, Zaraiah, Nicholas, Derwin, Jeffery III (“Tre”), Lawson, Cicilia, Annie, Anniya, Avalon Holley Jr., Jaden, and Kamari; three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who loved him dearly.

Avalon was preceded in death by his father, Paul Napier Sr.; stepfather, Amos Leonard Jr.; brothers, Paul Napier Jr., Nathaniel Napier, Richard Napier, Roy Jones, Danny Harris, and Bennie Black; and sister, Dorothy Stewart.

Avalon will forever be remembered as a man with a heart of gold. He was always willing to share wisdom and guidance with the young men in the family, and he would do anything he could to help others. He could fix anything, work with anyone, and give his all to everything he did. So many people have shared stories of how he touched their lives through his kindness, generosity, and pure heart. His love, laughter, wisdom, and presence will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

Visitations will be held Thursday May 14, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Claude E. Holmes Sr. Memorial Chapel and Friday May 15, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at T.S Warden Funeral home, 4315 N. Main St., Jacksonville, Florida.

Funeral services will be held one hour before noon on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at same location.