AVANT, Mary Elizabeth “Liz”

Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Avant, 89 years of age from Minden, NE died on Friday, August 17, 2012 at the Kearney County Health Services Hospital in Minden. Liz was born on July 14, 1923 in Brownwood, TX to Rev. Robert Lee and Tennie Alva (Harbin) Butler. Liz grew up in Texas and graduated from Texaco Farwell High School in 1940 and then graduated from McMurray College in Abilene. She worked as a Medical Technologist at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio for many years. On November 18, 1961 she married Sidney Clary Avant and they remained in Texas. Sid passed away and she moved to Minden in the early 1980's to be close her brother, Dr Robert Butler and his family. Liz had a strong faith and was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Minden. She enjoyed traveling, singing, playing the accordion and piano. She loved gardening and took great pride in her yard and flowers. She was an animal lover, especially cats, liked reading, photography and movies. Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church in Minden. Survivors include two sisters in-law, Mary Lea Butler of Minden and Nancy Avant of Kennedy, TX and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Sid and brother, Dr. Robert Butler of Minden. Memorial services will be on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Minden with Rev. Nancy Lambert officiating. Burial will be later in Sabinal, Texas. Layton-Craig Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.