Stephone Avery, Sr.

If life is a song worth singing, then every breath taken should exude the melody, the harmony, and the rhapsody of Stephone Avery, Sr. Stephone transitioned peacefully on Monday, October 25, 2021. He was 56. Within five amazing decades, this incredible man found a way to leave an indelible mark on the life of every person he touched.

The unforgettable moment in time was August 1, 1965; it was then that Stephone made his grand entrance into the world. Born in Camden, Arkansas he was the beloved son and youngest child of six children of Johnny and Pearline Elliott Avery. Family played a key role in the development and shaping of his life. His parents taught the Avery children to adhere to high morals, spiritual and educational values.

He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior as a little boy and was a member of St. Mary Baptist Church. Stephone graduated from Camden Senior High Class of 1984 where he was a stellar athlete and had dreams of playing professional football. Stephone was named in 1983 as Outstanding Back, Class AAA All-State, and All-District 7AAA. Also, in 1983 he was the state 100-meter champion and he attended the State Meet of Champions in 1983 and 1984. He continued his education at Northeast Louisiana University 1984-1988. Stephone received honorable mention All American Track Team and also in 1984 he was a member of the AAAs state championship relay team which set a record for the one-mile relay. He was a member of the National Champion NCAA Football team at Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, Louisiana winning the NCAA Division 1AA Championship from NLU 1987, and was inducted into the NLU Hall of Fame. Revered as one of Camden’s greatest jewels the city proclaimed on May 9, 1988, as Stephone Avery Day.

In 1988, he was drafted to the Green Bay Packers as a free agent. He returned to Arkansas and begin working for International Paper Company from 1989-2000.

Stephone married Charlotte Brown Sanders in 1989 and two children were born, Stephone, II, and Devenaire. In 1994, Stephone re-dedicated his life to Christ and united with Bethel AME Church under the leadership of Rev. L. A. Broadnax. Stephone then met the woman of his dreams, Angela Faye Juniel. They were married on July 8, 1995, and to this union, two children were born, Jalissa and Alexandria.

In 1997, Stephone united with Zion Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Chester Thompson where he answered the call to minister. In his true pioneer fashion, he crossed all boundaries of denominations and preached Jesus. He loved to worship, teach and would stir a worship experience in both preaching and singing. While at Zion Hill he served as Sunday School Superintendent; he and his wife co-labored as Youth Pastors. He served as assistant pastor of Tabernacle of Faith and in 2011, he was called to pastor the members of St. Paul Christian Church. Under his leadership at St. Paul Christian Church, he licensed and ordained six ministers and one deacon.

Some looked at how he managed his life and saw it as a blueprint to achieve greatness. Stephone’s thirst for education landed him at Southern Arkansas University earning him a Bachelor of Science degree in 2002. He was a stalwart provider and rendered services to Ouachita Industries 2003-2006, and Camden Fairview School District 2006-2020 until he retired. He earned the ESP of the year 2016 AEA and 2017 NEA A renowned author and motivational speaker Stephone wrote his first book in 2013 titled “Motivated Change - The Drive” and was certified as a motivational speaker and life coach with the John Maxwell Team in 2015.

Stephone was a risk-taker, a go-getter. He lived life to the fullest and always encouraged others to do the same. He gave his life to service and his contribution whether great or small were worth it all. He graduated from Leaders for Tomorrow and became a national trainer for National Education Association (NEA) 2009-2020. He served on several boards including Ouachita Enrichment Center (2014), River Valley Community Federal Credit Union (2020-Present), Ouachita County Medical Center (2019-Present), African American Historical Commission, AEA Board Member (2007-2020), and Ministerial Alliance member.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Johnie D. Avery, and his brothers, Richard Jones, and George Jones.

Pastor Avery leaves an indelible imprint on the hearts and minds of many people who learned from him, aspired to greater aspirations because of him, and those who were encouraged by him. A lifetime of love and memories will be cherished by his wife, Angela Faye Juniel Avery; his children, Stephone (Shantelle)Avery II, Devenaire (Tacinda) Curtis-Avery Sr., Jalissa (Jonathan)Avery, and Alexandria Avery; his beloved grandchildren, Stephone Avery, III, Anaya Avery, Sy’Aire Avery, and Devenaire Curtis-Avery, II; his siblings, Johnny R. Avery, and Jewelean (Michael) Williams; his goddaughter, Riley Lambert; uncles, Nathaniel (Doris) Avery, Stan Avery and Wendell Harris and an aunt, Bessie Ross. He also leaves his special sister-in-law, Felecia (Glenn) Juniel Lee; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and the St. Paul Christian Church Family.

Public visitation will be Friday, October 29, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Koinonia of Grace, 329 N. Adams, Ave., Camden. A celebration of his life will be shared with family and friends at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at Greater New Calvary COGIC, 3150 AR-7, Camden with Bishop Jacovis Davis, officiant, and Pastor Eddie R. Moore, Jr., eulogist. Interment will be at New White Springs Community Cemetery in Bearden, Arkansas.