Mrs. Jane Benefield Avera

Mrs. Jane Benefield Avera, age 95, of Thomaston, died Friday, August 15, 2025, at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

A memorial service for Mrs. Avera will be held on Saturday, August 23, at 1:00 PM, at Thomaston First Baptist Church with Rev. Bryan McPherson and Rev. Ted Kandler officiating, and Kevin Benefield providing the eulogy. The family will greet friends in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. A private family burial will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Fort Valley, Georgia, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband.

Jane was born in Jackson Co., Braselton, GA to the late Rose Davenport and Oscar Benefield where her father was a farmer. By the time she was in second grade the family moved to Gainesville, GA. There they were active members of their community and their beloved Emmanuel Baptist Church. During these years, Jane attended and graduated from the Hall County school system. She received her undergraduate degree from Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville and her Master’s degree from the University of Georgia. She began her teaching career in Ft. Valley, GA in the Peach Co. School system. In 1953 she married Wilbur K. Avera. They reared two children, Matt and Rosemary.

In 1972 the family moved to Roswell, GA and in 1982 moved to Thomaston, GA. Jane was always active in the communities where she lived. She served as President of the Roswell Garden Club and for 25 years an active member of the Thomaston Garden Club. She was a faithful member of the John Houston Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served in many offices including two terms as the Chapter Regent and a member of the Georgia Regents Club. She was a world traveler as well as an active bridge player.

Since her youth, Jane was an active member of the Baptist Churches where the family resided and for 40 years a very active member of Thomaston First Baptist Church. For many years she was the leader of the Thomaston Women’s Missionary Group, a faithful member of her Sunday School class and a dedicated leader of the Senior Adult Organization. In this capacity she helped organize the First Baptist Travel Group and was its leader for 25 years.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Wilbur Avera, her brother and sister-in-law Milton and Mary Benefield and her sister and brother-in-law Louise and Joe McGinnis.

Survivors include her son Matt Avera of Cumming, GA and her daughter and son-in-law Rosemary and Mark Moring of Macon, GA. Grandsons Matthew (Ariel) and Luke (Emilee) Avera and Drew (Ebonè) Akacki. Nieces and nephews: Kevin (Whit) Benefield, Susan (Keith) Dargis, Lesley (Joe) Parham, Alan (Linda) McGinnis and Gary (Courtney) McGinnis. Additional family members are David, Brittany, Benny, Casey, Christina, and Callie Moring.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.