Obituaries

Mrs. Susan Forbes Avery

Susan Forbes Avery, 80, of Roanoke Rapids, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025, at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC. Susan was born in South Boston, VA to the late Jaspar Gwynn Forbes and Eula Harris Forbes of South Hill, VA. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, John “Jack” T. Avery, III. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Jaqueline Isherwood and her brother, Charles Forbes. She is survived by her children, Susanne Avery Sullivan (Joel Fisher) of Clayton, John Thomas Avery IV (Darlene) of Wilson Mills, and Laura Avery Manning (Nick) of Roanoke Rapids; her grandchildren, Jessie Sullivan of Mishawaka, IN, Grant Sullivan (Mary Welsh, fiance) of Garner and Camille Sullivan of Four Oaks; her sister-in-law, Beth Pierce of Lovingston, VA; many nieces and nephews; and her favorite grand-dogs, Molly and River. Susan was an LPN and worked at Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids from 1979-2010. The last twenty years of her career, she worked in the Central Sterile Supply Department. She was Supervisor of Central Sterile Supply when she retired and was also elected to serve on the North Carolina Board of Central Service Professionals Board of Directors. She was a woman of faith having served as the Choir Director and pianist for Shiloh Methodist Church for over 50 years. She also served on many committees in the church as well as serving as the President of the Woman’s Society for many years. Susan loved sewing, gardening, cooking, and watching the RRHS Bands! She was a regular at Friday night football games sitting on the 50 yard line to watch the RRHS Marching Yellow Jackets take the field! There is no way to put a number on how many lives she touched in her 80 years. She always put her family before anything else, supported us in our endeavors, and welcomed friends to our family. The family will receive friends at Wrenn Funeral Home Friday, July 18, 2025 from 7:00-9:00pm. A service will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 11:00am, at Shiloh Methodist Church of Gaston, NC. Interment will follow the service at Oakwood Cemetery in South Hill, VA. The Rev. Rick Russell will be officiating the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Calling Angels in Susan’s memory, P.O. Box 1303, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870. Memorial contributions may also be made to The Service League of Greenville Hospice House, Home Health & Hospice, In Memory of Susan F. Avery, 920 Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC 27834.