Lorena May Avery

Lorena (Grandma) May Avery
Lorena (Grandma) May Avery, age 81, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, was called to her heavenly home on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at St. Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri.
Lorena was born the daughter of Wendell Lewis and Viola Verdeen (Dewane) Huff, on June 26, 1940. She attended Gladstone High School, Gladstone, Illinois. She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Gerald Howard Avery, on May 14, 1976. They shared over 45 years of memories together. He preceded her in death on March 29, 2021. Lorena retired as a supervisor cook at the Missouri Department of Corrections, Chillicothe, Missouri. She was a member of the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Chillicothe, Missouri.
Grandma was a God-fearing woman. She was tough as nails, unless it came to her grandchildren. She loved being a grandmother. Every childhood friend, and new guest brought into the house, was introduced to "Grandma".  Trips to Grandma and Grandpa's house always entailed lots of hugs and kisses, shopping trips, and many late night conversations lying in bed with Grandma, sometimes leaving Grandpa on the couch when there were too many of us to move around. She loved having holiday dinners and shopping for gifts. Holidays that usually didn't have presents involved, did with Grandma, and Grandpa would be just as surprised as we were when gifts were opened. And you best believe that no one was getting anything if you didn't believe in Santa!  She loved having a full house, and extra guests were always welcomed. Grandma loved her family more than anything.
Survivors include three sons, James Lair McKinney and wife, Teena of Biggsville, Illinois, Rex McKinney of Oquawka, Illinois, and Stephan Nylin and wife, Maria of Chillicothe, Missouri; four step- children, Rodney Avery of Olympia, Washington, Andrew Avery of Lexington, Tennessee, Robin White of Joy, Illinois, and Amy Zippe of West Burlington, Iowa; sixteen grandchildren; thirty-one great grandchildren; one brother, Lewis (Junior) Huff of Illinois; one sister, Melody Sage of Chillicothe, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gerald; one brother, Charles Huff; one sister, Donna Taylor; one brother-in-law, Alan sage; and two great grandbabies.
Graveside services will be held at Edgewood Cemetery, Chillicothe, Missouri, on August 9, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. There is no scheduled visitation. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Sunday, August 8, 2021, from 12 until 6:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lorena Avery Memorial Fund and/or the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.