Eva "Jean" Avra

Eva "Jean" Avra, 92, of Fulton, passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2020, at her home. Mrs. Avra was born March 28, 1928 in Hope, Arkansas to the late James Otis and the late Eva Mae Milam. She was married on June 29, 1946 to Davis Edwin "Ed" Avra, who preceded her in death on May 22, 1983. Mrs. Avra graduated from high school in Hope, Arkansas. She received her Bachelor's and Master's in Education degrees from Arkansas Central University. She continued post-graduate studies at Washington University, St. Louis University, and the University of Missouri. She taught in Missouri public schools for 30 years; three years in Southeast Missouri and 27 years in Berkeley School District in St. Louis County where she taught history and language arts until her retirement in 1981. Mrs. Avra was a life member of Missouri State Teachers Association and the recipient of the MSTA Professional Award of Merit. She was a member of Phi Alpha Theta Honorary History Fraternity and Sigma Sigma Sigma Social Sorority. Elected to the Fulton Board of Education, she served as President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Board. During her 22-year tenure on the Board of Education from 1984 until 2006, she received the Master Board Member Award. In 1999, Fulton Public Schools recognized her with their Outstanding Service in Education Award. Mrs. Avra served as board member of and President of Friends of the Churchill Memorial, President of Callaway Hospital Auxiliary, and President of the Callaway County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Docent for the Cox Gallery, Kemper Center for the Arts of William Woods University, and a member of the WWU President's Community Council. She was a member of P.E.O., served on the Fulton Public Schools Foundation Board, served on the Advisory Board of Presbyterian Manor, and was a member of Friends of the Callaway County Public Library. A pilot and avid aviation enthusiast, she helped organize the Kingdom Pilots Association. Mrs. Avra was a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Avra is survived by son, James "Jim" Avra and his wife Roberta "Robbi" of Fulton; two grandsons, Davis C. Avra and wife Jenny, and Stephen V. Avra and wife Kristine; granddaughter, Gwendolyn K. Wilson and husband Chris; six great-grandchildren, Kimber Ann Avra, Brittany Jean Avra, Heather Marie Zink, Tera Ann Cooper, Drew Anthony Avra and wife Kristina, and Danielle Ray Avra; and eight great-great-grandchildren, Bentley Avra, Skyler Avra, Tate Avra, James Frances, Hazelynn Lykins, Layne Costello, Oden Neal, and Sophia Jean Pagan. Jean treasured many friends that she considered family including Joe, Lori Dillon, Richard, Amy, Layne and Laikyn Dillon, Dr. James and Linda McCall, Brian Pulliam, Judy Dowd, Beverly Holland, Carl and Arlys Kremer, Missy Brooks, and Nola Garner. She is also survived by several cousins including special cousin Dee Ann Beckley and her husband George Kuepper. A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend James Barden officiating. Friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Jean will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Ed, during a private interment at Callaway Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to First Presbyterian Church of Fulton, Fulton Public School Foundation, c/o Maupin Funeral Home, 301 Douglas Boulevard, Fulton, MO 65251. Condolences may be left for the family at maupinfuneralhome.com.