Howard Avrette

Howard Nathaniel Avrette died on March 1, 2021 with his loving wife of 71 years and his daughter by his side. He was born on December 6, 1930 in Rolesville, NC to Ernest Calvin and Myrtle Caviness Avrette. He graduated from Corinth Holders High School in Johnston County in 1949 and married his high school love, Ella Grace Guy, a few months later on November 26, 1949. He quickly swept her away as he began a 38-year career with Carolina Power & Light, retiring in 1988. He started as a line crew worker and retired as foreman of the line crew in Harnett County. With his career, he moved his family countless times within NC and they made fast friends wherever they resided. Before settling in Lillington, NC in 1967, they lived in Troy, Fayetteville, Rockingham, and Southern Pines, just to name a few. He took pride in the hard work and service the line crew provided to the residents of their community and he always shared a strong bond with his Carolina Power & Light family.

Howard loved people and he enjoyed sharing a meal or a snack with those he loved. He took his mastery of barbecue to a new level when he opened Howard's BBQ in Lillington in 1978. He did what he did best, cook the barbecue in the brick pit out back and leave the rest to Grace. He retired from that business in 1991 when he sold it to his son, David. However, to the daily customers, he was always "Mr. Howard" of Howard's BBQ who walked through the diner shaking hands and greeting both those he knew and those he met.

After Howard “re-retired,” he and Grace traveled with friends across the country, farmed a garden, and enjoyed their seven grandchildren. He was affectionately called the "candy grandpa" by his own grandchildren as well as their friends because he always had a pocketful of candy. He was never without a pack of nabs or peanuts and a bottle of Coke which he freely dispensed to his grandchildren whether fishing bream with a cane pole at Shearon Harris Lake, catching croaker two at the time on the Chesapeake Bay, or driving them around his yard on the golf cart.

Howard was immensely proud of his three children, and he cherished family gatherings. He teased everyone, especially Grace. We all remember the jabs he gave her for not cooking enough corn bread! He started many days with breakfast at McDonald's talking to the regular men who gathered there. He always looked spiffy with his suspenders. And he often smiled as he gave the "thumbs up" sign – a sign he gave us throughout his sickness, even in the final days.

Howard felt passionately about his faith and shared with others the love of Christ both in word and deed. He served as a deacon at Lillington Baptist Church, as well as at other churches earlier in his life. He especially appreciated the close friendships he shared with the Simmons Sunday School class. The times the class came to him this past year, by phone or in mask, will always be remembered fondly and appreciably by his family.

Howard's life provides many happy memories and warm thoughts for his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Grace, his three children, Anthony Avrette, from Fayetteville, NC; Diane Claypool, from Lillington, NC; and David Avrette (Cindy), from Lillington, NC; his seven grandchildren; and his nine great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at Lillington Baptist Church from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The service will immediately follow the visitation at the church with interment at Westview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Annie Armstrong Offering at Lillington Baptist Church, P.O. Box 670, Lillington, NC 27546 or to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

In accordance with current North Carolina COVID-19 guidelines, the funeral home requests that everyone in attendance practice social distancing and wear a face covering. 

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