Ira Avery, Jr. of Whitewater, son of late Ira, Sr. and Sophia Ann Kelly Avery, born 06/04/1923 in Clines Island and passed away in Whitewater on 01/13/2020, age 96.

He was born, raised, attended church and school at Clines Island in Stoddard County. After eighth grade he continued learning with the Civilian Conservation Corp (1939-40), and the Merchant Marines as a seaman (1941-45) based in New London, Connecticut. He share cropped his family's farm at Clines Island for forty years with the help of his wife, Jean, and four sons, actively farming until he was 91 years old. The last fourteen months of his life a special care giver looked after him at the farm he loved at Whitewater, with help from his neighbor, Greg Brawley.

On 12/22/1945, he married Wilma Jean Brown in New London, Connecticut. She preceded him in death on January 7, 2010.

Surviving are three sons, James Avery of Whitewater, Steve Avery of San Antonio, Texas, Dennis Avery of Poplar Bluff; eleven grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Bizzell of Statesboro, Georgia and Nellie Thurman of St. Louis; and daughter-in-law, Ruth Avery. He was preceded in death by one son, Mike Avery, one brother, John Wes Avery, and four sisters, Gladys Dowdy, Nola Campbell, Susie Smith and Mildred Moore.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020, after 10:00 am at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter with services at 11:00 am, Pastor Dalton Avery of Republic officiating.

Interment will follow at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery near Bell City with Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of all arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watkinsfuneralhome.com