Deloris Avara

Graveside services for Mrs. Deloris Avara will be held Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Magnolia Cemetery with Rev. James Ruffin officiating. The family will receive friends Friday, July 18, 2025, from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home.

Mrs. Deloris Harvey Avara, 88, of Meridian, MS, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Deloris was a gifted pianist whose God given talent allowed her to play by ear in many churches from the age of 14 where she was pulled from her Sunday Night Training Union class to play for the church service. This began a lifetime of playing until the age of 80 and only stopping because of the effects of a stroke. In addition to playing piano, she also taught music at Calvary Christian School. She was president of the Singing Saints for many years.

She worked for many years as the Circuit Court Administrator, Assistant Administrator with The United Way of Meridian, and Office Manager of General Dentistry for Tracy Lott DMD and Jennifer Avara-Lott DMD. Deloris loved people and loved knowing those people's passions and family history. Her love for people allowed her to share Jesus with others.

Most of all she was a loving mother, Grandmother, and GiGi.

She is survived by her children, Gary Avara (Vickie) and Jennifer Avara-Lott DMD (Tracy), grandchildren, James Avara (Ali) of Leander, TX, and Alisha Kornhammar (Tim) of The Colony, TX, great-grandchildren, Kathryn Avara, Amelia Kornhammar, and Claire Kornhammar, niece, Lisa McDaniel and nephews, Bruce Charlton and Glen Charlton.

She is preceded in death by her husband James Albert Avara, son, Stephen Louis Avara, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L.L. Harvey.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Ballard, Curtis Barnacastle, Menno Lagendyk, Mark Rhodes, Joey Robbins, Charles Stewart, and Glen Watson.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.