Meriamme Rosalee Avent

Meriamme Rhodes "Dustie" Avent, 88, of Decatur, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2013, after a brief illness. Dustie was born in New Jersey in 1924, the only child of Ethel and Glenn Rhodes, and grew up in Perry, Georgia. In 1945 she received her degree in biology from Shorter College and was working on her Masters of Religious Education at Emory University where she met her husband, the late Rev. George Avent. While raising a family of four, Dustie proudly worked as a personnel officer for the Social Security Administration. After 31 years of dedicated service, she retired at age 68. An adventurous traveler, Dustie took trips all over the world, primarily with the Friendship Force, as well as with family and friends. Destinations included Europe, Russia, and China. At 80, she traveled alone to Turkey and Georgia to visit friends. Back in Atlanta, Dustie volunteered at the Atlanta Zoo and at the Alliance Theater. Dustie is survived by her four children, George Avent (Eva), Kathy Bennett, Carol Hostetter (Spencer), and Susan Avent Testa (Brett Testa); six grandchildren, Wes Hendrix, Courtney Brunson (Justin), John Bennett (Tracy), Whitney Hostetter, Sarah Bennett, and Brett Testa Jr.; and her first great granddaughter, Annabelle Grace Brunson. The service will be held on Sunday, April 7, 2013, at 3 PM, at University Heights UMC. The family will receive friends beginning at 2 PM and again after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, (Development Office, 1762 Clifton Road, Suite 1400, Atlanta GA 30322) or University Heights UMC (1267 Balsam Drive, Decatur GA 30033). A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.


Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033