Avis Irene Blaylock

Avis Irene Blaylock, 68, of Newport, NC, formerly of Gering, NE, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on September 9, 2017. She went to be with her Lord while holding the hands of her pride-and-joys, her children and husband, as the sun set beyond the tranquil waters of Bogue Sound.

Avis was born in Crawford, NE, during the notorious blizzard of ‘49 on February 5th to Gerald Wayne and Josephine Louise Kennedy. Avis enjoyed sharing childhood memories of growing up in beautiful rural western Nebraska.  She met the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Blaylock, while attending Chadron State College in 1967. They married on May 31, 1970, as she wore a beautiful wedding gown hand sewn by her mother. Avis valued her education and received her Bachelor of Arts and Science in biology from Chadron State College and later a degree in education.  She worked in various settings utilizing her science degree in her early married years and later worked alongside her husband in starting a private physical therapy practice in Scottsbluff, NE.

Avis went on to share her love of reading and education as an elementary school librarian in Gering, NE. It was here that she touched the lives of so many children and continued to leave a lasting impression of kindness on her community.

Avis and Bob retired to eastern North Carolina in 2012 to be closer to their children and first grandchild. Avis was a loving and devoted mother, wife, grandmother, and friend. She was committed fully to her faith and church. Her positive outlook, kindness, and love of life will be greatly missed.

Avis is survived by her husband of 47 years, Robert Blaylock, daughter, Erin (Carl) Gull, and son, Nathan (Megan) Blaylock; grandchildren, Carl Ramond Gull, IV, Avery Elizabeth Gull, and Clinton Wayne Blaylock; sister, Lela (Marvin) Criswell, brother, William (Nancy) Kennedy, and sister, Barbara (Charlie) Gregalis.

Avis is preceded in death by her mother and father.

The family of Avis would like to invite all those who shared time with her to a celebration of her life on Saturday, September 16th, at 11am at the Cape Carteret Presbyterian Church. A visitation with the family will be held prior to the service at 9:30am.

In honor of Avis's passion for books and love of reading to her grandchildren, the family is requesting that in lieu of flowers a donation be made in her honor to the Imagination Library. The Imagination Library fosters an early love of reading and promotes literacy by providing a free book every month to children from birth to age five.  Donations can be made at www.imaginationlibrary.com under the donations tab.

Online condolences may be made at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory, Morehead City, NC.