Matthew Avant passed away Friday at WellStar West Georgia Medical Center.

He was born June 3, 1942 to Janie Mae Bradley Avant and the late Calvin Avant, Sr. in Brewton, Alabama.

He confessed Christ at an early age and joined Baptist Hill Baptist Church in Brewton, Alabama only to later unite with Old Mount Olive Baptist Church in LaGrange, Georgia where he served as an active member and Chairman of the Deacon Board for several years.

He graduated from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1965 with a Bachelor’s of Art Degree in English; and accepted an appointment to the Georgia Department of Labor where he retired as Field Manager with thirty-four years of service.

He was a charter member of the 100 Black Men of West Georgia. He served on several Boards including:  Maidee Smith Day Care, LaGrange Housing Authority, West Georgia Technical College, and LaGrange Downtown Development Authority.

Survivors include his wife, Jan Avant; daughter Tesa (Larry) Evans of Columbus, Georgia; two grandsons, Alex and Tyler Evans; mother, Janie Avant of Brewton, Alabama; three brothers, Herman (Laura) Avant of Jersey City, New Jersey; Dave (Lynnette) Avant and Calvin Avant, Jr. both of Brewton, Alabama; sister, Bobbie (H.K.) Matthews of Brewton Alabama; two aunts, Ruth Moton of Pollard, Alabama and Arine Jackson of Brewton, Alabama; in-laws Elvin Adams of Atlanta Georgia; Tommie (Ozzie) Barham of Silver Springs, Maryland; Tom Flowers, Carnell Flowers, and Horace (Patricia) Flowers all of LaGrange, Georgia; Louis (Cynthia) Flowers of Fayetteville, Georgia; Diane Flowers of Atlanta, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and lifelong friends.

The Celebration of Life Service will be Friday at 12:00 Noon at Warren Temple U. M. Church. Pastor Carl V. Epps will officiate. Burial will follow at Meadoway Gardens Cemetery.

You may express your condolences or sign the guest book by visiting www.lakesdunsonrobertson.com.

The family will be at their home at 716 Pyracantha Drive and will receive friends in the Chapel of Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home on Thursday from 6:00 – 8:00.

The excellent care of Mr. Avant is being provided by Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home.