Mrs. Mattie L. Avery was born January 29, 1922 in Bickmore, West Virginia to the late "Lizzie" Moore Brown and George Brown. She entered peacefully into eternal rest on December 30, 2016 in Durham, NC. She met and later married Leon A. Avery, Sr. on November 29, 1943. To this union four children were born. This loving marriage lasted 59 years and ended after Leon's long illness and death on December 9, 2002.

During their devoted marriage Mattie and Leon became co-owners of the Progress Dry Cleaners with Jesse Woods and later opened Leon's Cleaners as independent business owners. They enjoyed many years of success in their professional and personal lives, opening a second dry cleaning establishment in Beckley, West Virginia for eight years. One of her most cherished accomplishments was ensuring that all four of her children achieved a college education. Mattie loved her family, faith, friends and hobbies. In addition to raising their own children, Mattie and Leon shared their home with more than a dozen relatives over the years.

While working fulltime and caring for her family, Matte was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Montgomery, and enjoyed singing with the First Baptist Gospel Choir. She was known to have a full, strong contralto voice that could bring tears to the eyes and hearts of those who witnessed her solos. Prior to devoting fulltime to caring for her husband during his long illness, Mattie was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Golden Circle, and the Auxiliary to the A.E.A.O.N.M.S. North and South America and its Jurisdictions Incorporated. She loved to cook, read, sew and quilt, and was proud to be the seamstress for their dry cleaners.

Mattie leaves to cherish her memory and mourn her loss her children, Leon Avery, Jr. (Louise) of Fort Washington, Maryland; Patricia A. Conyers of Oak Hill, West Virginia; Carol (La Verne) A. Nicholson (Kenneth) of Durham, North Carolina and Dennis Keith Avery (Kim) of Akron, Ohio. She also is survived by six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and beloved husband, Leon A. Avery, Sr.

Service will be held at 12 Noon on Friday, January 6, 2017 at the First Baptist Church of London with Bishop Thomas Murray officiating. Entombment will follow at Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens at Glasgow. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the church. O'Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery is in charge of arrangements where expressions of sympathy can be sent at www.odellfuneralhome.com