Averette Haney

Averette Haney Kesler Averette Haney, age 82, of Rutherfordton & Boone passed away Wednesday at his home. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Rebecca Russell Roark Haney of the home and Boone; Son Keith Haney and wife Kim of Forest City; Daughter Margaret Johnson of Ft. Worth, TX; granddaughters Olivia and Sarah Haney of Ellenboro; Stepson Steve Roark and wife Robyn of Boone; Step granddaughter Brook Matheson and fiancé Britt Cooper of Boone; step grandson Russell Brown of Zionville, NC; Sister-in-Law Phyllis Plowden and husband Bill of Shelby; Brother-in-Law Rev. Bud Russell and wife Betty of Vilas; Aunt Madeline Nixon of Charlotte; Uncle Marvin Holland of Newton Grove, NC. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins; special friends Danny, Rhonda and John Davis; and the Roark family who welcomed Averette as a brother and uncle when he married Becky. He was preceded in death by his first wife Frances Champion Haney, his parents, Kesler and Eva Holland Haney, and stepdaughter Kathy Roark Mitchell and husband Daniel. Averette served in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic from 1960-1965. He was a native of Madison County, NC, attended Mars Hill College, Auburn University, received a bachelor’s degree from N.C. State University and a master’s degree from Appalachian State University. He taught vocational education for five years at Tarheel High School and twenty-four years at Polk Central High School where he also drove a school bus for eighteen years. Following retirement from teaching, he was an apartment manager and did car transfers for local automobile dealers. An Eagle Scout himself, Averette was Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 129 of Spindale. During this time he obtained his pilot’s license and enjoyed seeing North Carolina from the air. He was a member of Spencer Baptist Church in Spindale for almost 50 years where he served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, choir member, and on numerous committees. He was also an associate member of the Boone Advent Christian Church and sang in the choir. Whenever possible, Averette enjoyed spending time on the lake fishing. He loved to travel and visited most of the United States. He pulled a camper twice to Alaska and twice to Nova Scotia, spending many weeks on each trip. He and Frances toured the Holy Land, walking where Jesus walked. Mostly he enjoyed camping trips whenever he could take time to explore more fully the area he was visiting. Following their marriage in 2010, he and Becky took many trips camping or just driving to visit all around the Carolinas, the United States and Canada. He was dedicated to delivering Meals on Wheels with Becky in Watauga County. Averette dearly loved his family and friends, but most of all, he loved his Lord and being in God’s house. He looked for opportunities to witness to others about Christ wherever he went and would approach strangers or those he had just met to make sure they knew of Jesus’ love and saving grace. Averette will be deeply missed by many, but we rejoice that he now is in the presence of his beloved Lord and reunited with his loved ones. The family would like to express their deep appreciation of and thanks to the many wonderful staff of Hospice of the Carolinas Foothills for the excellent, loving care Averette received during recent months. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolinas Foothills, PO Box 336, Forest City NC 28043. Graveside services will be conducted 10 AM Saturday August 15, 2020 at Cool Springs Cemetery in Forest City, NC with a celebration of life to follow at 1 PM at Spencer Baptist Church in Spindale with Rev. Bruce Caldwell, Rev. Billy Vaughn, Rev. Bud Russell and Rev. Mitch Marlowe officiating. The family ask that everyone attending please wear a face covering and observe social distancing Crowe’s Mortuary & Crematory is assisting the family. www.crowemortuary.com