Helen Averitt

Helen Joyce (Kilburn) Averitt, 79, wife of Clyde Averitt, passed away June 5, 2016 in Bryan.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 6 until 8 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel.

Joyce was born April 17, 1937 in Little Rock, Arkansas to James Vernon and Edna Louise Couch Kilburn. She was baptized in 1946 at the Hebron Springs Baptist Church in Little Rock. After graduating from Joe T. Robinson High School, she married Clyde Averitt on January 3, 1956. Joyce received her nursing degree from San Jacinto College. She provided compassionate care to thousands of patients over the years.

While working as a nurse she was employed by St. Jude Hospital, Trinity Medical Center, and the Brenham State Supported Living Center. Most of her nursing time was spent taking care of the newborns in the nursery.

Joyce always looked forward to the Washington County Fair where she entered her salsa, jams, jellies and crochet items. Her kitchen towels and baby blankets were enjoyed by folks nationwide. She received Grand Champion and Reserve Champion ribbons on her entries a couple of times, and always had high sales on items she sold in the country store. She enjoyed working with others in the country store for over 37 years.

Joyce loved her family and friends and was always ready for chit-chat and exchanging experiences. Her ready smile, hardy handshake and good eye contact will be missed by all. She loved all of God's creatures, especially her special pet companion, Carson.

Survivors include her husband, Clyde Averitt of Brenham; sons and daughters-in-law Donald and Sylvia Averitt of Henderson, NV; Gary and Robin Averitt of Houston, and Dennis and Jennifer Averitt of College Station; grandchildren: Josh and Britney Averitt, Madison Averitt, Jacob Averitt, and Drake Averitt; sister and brother-in-law Sue and George Bullock of Houston, and sister-in-law Carol Kilburn of Little Rock. Also surviving are nephews, nieces, cousins, and numerous other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; infant daughter, Theresa Joyce Averitt; an uncle and aunt who raised her, as well as her brother, Jimmy Kilburn.

Serving as pallbearers Donald Bauer, Travis Boeker, Butch Lorenz, Dale Green, Roger Chambers, Lloyd Powell, Alan Schroeder, and Jack Murski. Honorary pallbearers are her grandchildren, former nurses she worked with, and her former fair and country store friends.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice Brazos Valley.

Funeral arrangements for Helen Joyce Averitt are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main in Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.

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