Avonelle Hysmith

Avonelle Hysmith, known to some as Ninell was born on September 5, 1927, the middle daughter of Oliver and Beulah Gaddy.

On March 7, 1942, she married Ira Thomas Hysmith. Together they had two children, Weldon Thomas Hysmith and Kathy Denise Hysmith.

Avonelle began working in the garment industry at a young age with Lion of Troy in Adamsville, Tennessee. She worked for Myrna Mills, Hardwood, USA Classics and others. After many years of working in factories she began a new adventure working with her daughter at Selmer Bank & Trust Company, retiring in 1997. After retirement, she became a Pink Lady, volunteering for McNairy County Ladies Auxiliary.

Avonelle loved going on trips with Christian Fellowship Tours of Jackson, TN and Adamsville Senior Citizens. She traveled to all 50 states and several places outside the United States, making lots of friends along the way, which she cherished for the rest of her life. Her most memorable trip was for 29 days, where she traveled by bus, ship, train, and plane. We would call her "Willie" because she was always on the road again.

In between her travel adventures, Avonelle enjoyed getting together with the ladies in her church and playing chicken foot or attending gospel singings. Her other hobbies included raising a garden and taking care of her chickens. She also loved to feed and watch the hummingbirds. She was a member of Solitude Freewill Baptist Church.

On the afternoon of Thursday, June 15, 2023, Avonelle Hysmith passed from this life in Leapwood, Tennessee. She was 95 years, 9 months, and 10 days. She lived a good long life, but she will definitely be missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Hysmith of Adamsville, TN; sister, Geraldine Boyd of Selmer, TN; grandchildren, Dena Hysmith of Knoxville, TN, Donna Hysmith of Nashville, TN, and Darla Hysmith of Jacksonville, FL; great grandchildren, Madison Dyer and John Robert Dyer both of Knoxville, TN; nephew, Craig Boyd of Selmer, TN; and great niece, Jennifer Lipford of Michie, TN.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Beulah Gaddy; husband, Ira Hysmith; son, Weldon Hysmith; sister, Camarie Gaddy; and cousin, Karen Redmon.