Norma Avary

Norma Calhoun Avary passed away peacefully in her home on June 10, 2010 at the age of 86. She was born in Verda, Louisiana on May 15, 1924 to Sam and Anne Lowry Calhoun. Her parents died when she was very young and she and her five siblings were raised by their maternal grandmother. She grew up in several towns and cities in Louisiana before moving and settling in the small west Texas town of Monahans in her early 20’s. She met Kenneth Avary in Monahans in 1948 and they were married on May 23, 1952. Kenneth’s parents, brother, two sisters and their spouses were always very special to Norma and she considered her in-laws the parents she never really had. Norma was an amazing gourmet and home style cook. She was a professional caterer for many years in Monahans and made beautiful wedding cakes. Her skills as an accomplished seamstress, gardener and her “take charge” demeanor made her an outstanding homemaker. Norma had many other talents as well. She told wonderfully funny stories sometimes embellishing them in whimsical ways. She also wrote and often amazed her family with poems and stories about their lives. Norma was an avid golfer for 20+ years picking up the game in 1976 at age 52 after both daughters graduated from high school. She was also a long time member of Beta Sigma Phi (an international, social, cultural and service organization for women) in Monahans and served as President in 1979-80. In 2000, her beloved husband of 48 years passed away and seventeen months later she moved to Corpus Christi to be closer to her daughter and three grandchildren whom she cherished. She loved living in Corpus Christi and often referred to it as a perfect “country-city” because of its combination of cotton, maze and corn fields AND its tall downtown buildings. Norma had a warmth, a strength, a quick smile and a grand sense of style that will be missed by many, but her memory will live on in the hearts and minds of family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Jesse Avary; her daughter, Kim Avary Stafford; two brothers, Bill and Lloyd Calhoun. Norma is survived by her daughter, Marty Avary of Corpus Christi, Texas; three grandchildren, Scott Hook of Spring, Texas, Becky Hook of San Marcos, Texas, Angela Hook of Huntsville, Texas; one brother, Wilbur Calhoun of Bastrop, Louisiana; two sisters, Irma Williams of Monroe, Louisiana and Dean (Charles) Daughdrill of Gladewater, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. She is also survived by her beloved Bengal cat, Noji. She was a devout Catholic and member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. A Rosary will be recited at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 16602 FM 624, Robstown, Texas 78380 on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. and a Memorial Mass will be celebrated immediately afterward with Rev. Msgr. Michael Howell as celebrant. Memorial donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society or Angel Bright Hospice, 3213 Holly Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78413 who tenderly aided Norma in her last few weeks.