Lee County Bio Daniel Avera Submitted by Len Avera lavera@netdoor.com DANIEL GREEN AVERA DANIEL GREEN AVERA Born about 1846 - Died April 16, 1923 The following is a write-up taken from the book, "Lee County Georgia, A History", which was published by the Lee County Historical Society. Daniel Green Avera and Mary Jane Edwards were married in Smithville, Georgia on November 24, 1867. They had eleven children, eight of which lived to be grown and married and have families of their own. Their children were: Maggie Lee, Mary Alice, Berti Leonides, Virgil Powers, Ella Susan, Elizabeth, Minnie, Addie Leone, Charles Crisp, Annie Mae, and Daniel Joseph. Daniel Green was in the cotton warehouse business. He was known to his numerous friends as "Judge Avera". Daniel Green and Mary Jane lived in Smithville all of their married life. He died April 16, 1923, and Mary Jane died May 9, 1934. They were both buried in Smithville Georgia. Of eight children, only two of them, Charles Crisp and Annie Mae remained in Smithville after they married. The older children married and moved away from Lee County to other areas where they raised their families. Annie Mae Avera married E. Milton Booker, a rural mail carrier. They had three daughters and four sons. They lived in Smithville until after he retired. Charles Crisp Avera married Edna Foster. He was a druggist and worked for Dr. Scroggins. He also worked for Mr. Lee Childers. Later he purchased and operated his own drug store. He worked as a druggist in both Leesburg and Smithville at different times. Charles Crisp and Edna Avera had one son, Charles Crisp Avera, Jr., Charles C. Jr. and Bessie Avera had two children, Keith and Gail Avera. This family now resides in Macon, Georgia. Charles and Edna had one daughter, Laverne Avera. Laverne married Harold Varner, whose family resided in Smithville at one time. They had four children, Harold Varner, Jr., Spencer Varner, Paul Varner, and Pam Varner. Most of the family live and are working and raising their families in Macon, Georgia. NOTE: Daniel Green Avera was the youngest brother of Thomas Jefferson Avera. It was from Thomas Jefferson Avera that Daniel Green Avera acquired the mercantile business. In the Will of Thomas Jefferson Avera it states that he has sold his goods to his brother D. G. Avera. Daniel Green Avera and Mary Jane Avera, along with some of their children are buried in the AVERA FAMILY CEMETERY in Smithville, Georgia. The following is an extract of the Article in the local paper of Lee County when D. G. Avera passed away. The Lee County Journal April 20. 1923 Another Old Soldier Has Passed Away Mr. D. G. Avera, a prominent citizen of Smithville and an old Confederate Soldier passed away at his home Monday morning at 2 o'clock after an illness of only two weeks of pneumonia. Mr. Avera moved to Smithville about fifty years ago and has lived there ever since, making the town a good citizen, always doing everything for the upbuilding of the town and living a Christian life. He was a member of the Smithville Baptist Church. He was at the time of his death, 77 years of age. Funeral services were held at the Baptist Church at 10 o'clock and interment followed in the Smithville cemetery. In the History Book of Lee County Georgia there are several references to Daniel Green Avera and Mary Jane Avera and the families that their children married into. Obituary of Mary Jane Avera, printed 1934, Smithville, Georgia MRS. MARY AVERA 85, DIES FOLLOWING LINGERING ILLNESS Passes at Home of Son, Dr. C. C. Avera, in Smithville, on May 11, 1934 FUNERAL MOTHERS DAY Is Survived by Six Children, 28 Grand Children and 16 Great Grand Children Mrs. Mary Jane Avera, age 85, after a lingering illness, passed away peacefully at the home of her son, Dr. C. C. Avera, in Smithville, May 11. Mrs. Avera was the daughter of the late Mr. And Mrs. W. J. Edwards, of Smithville, and the widow of the late Green Avera, a civil war hero. She was Smithville’s oldest citizen and was born in Smithville, where she spent practically all of her long and useful life. She was a devout Christian and a strict member of the Baptist Church for more than 65 years. She was one of the town’s most beloved and esteemed women, and was a universal favorite with all who knew her. Death came to Mrs. Avera as a merciful relief from continued suffering. She had been in failing health for several years, although the final illness that resulted in her death was only of a few weeks duration. During her long period of illness, Mrs. Avera bore her suffering with a patience and fortitude that were indicative of her Christian spirit and strong character. As the end approached, loving hands were eager to fulfill any wish and the cunning hand of medical science was exhausted in the last desperate efforts to save her, but all proved futile. The passing of this excellent lady removes from Smithville one of its most beloved citizens and her place will be difficult to fill. Funeral services were held Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13, at the Smithville Baptist church. The pastor, Rev. W. E. Brown, conducted the services. Hundreds of friends and relatives were present to pay their last respects and mingle their tears with the oceans of sweet flowers that adorned the casket, mute evidence of the high esteem held by all for Mrs. Avera. Interment took place on the family plot in the cemetery at Smithville. Mrs. Avera is survived by three daughters, Mrs. L. E. Weeks, Jacksonville, Fla., Mrs. M. S. Fletcher, Mrs. E. M. Booker, Smithville; three sons, Dr. C. C. Avera, Smithville, D. J. Avera and W. P. Avera, Jacksonville, Fla., a brother, J. W. Edwards, Quitman; two sisters, Mrs. C. S. Avinger, Montgomery, Ala., Mrs. E. C. Kennedy, Lakeland, Fla. Mrs. Avera was the mother of 11 children, of whom six are living, grand mother of 28, and great grand mother of 16. The following acted as pall bearers: J. S. Moody, G. G. Calloway, C. H. Clark, G. T. Burton, C. C. Ansley and R. J. Richardson. CARD OF THANKS From Smithville, Georgia Newspaper To our many friends we wish to express our most heartfelt thanks for their many deeds of kindness and expressions of sympathy, as well as the beautiful floral offerings at the death of our dear and precious Mother. May the Lord bless each and every one of you for your kind deed and tender feelings. Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Avera Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Weeks Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Booker Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Avera Mrs. M. L. Fletcher Mr. V. P. Avera