Sheila R. Avis was born on October 17, 1931 to Rev. Earl & Gladys Fletcher in Mishawaka, Indiana. The family lived in Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana. She lived several years in Winona Lake, Indiana, where she had some wonderful childhood and teenage memories. Sheila graduated from Spring Arbor (Michigan) High School in 1949, and Spring Arbor Jr. College in 1951, where she met George Avis. She graduated Spring Arbor the morning of June 4, 1951, and later that evening she and George were wed. Soon after, she and George were asked to pastor a small Free Methodist church in Michigan City, Indiana, which began their 62 year journey in ministry together. In 1962 the couple and their two young children moved west to Seattle to complete their college studies at Seattle Pacific College. They had another child while in Seattle, and in 1965 found themselves being assigned to a Free Methodist Church in Roseburg, OR, where they lived for the next 13 years. In 1978, George, Sheila and their youngest daughter moved in Port Townsend, WA, where George took a position as Senior Pastor at Irondale Evangelical Free Church. In 1980, George left the senior pastorate ministry to move into nursing home administration and ministry. Sheila worked for many years as a professional secretary. Her employers included L.S. Leggett Co. in Elkhart, IN, Seattle Pacific College, various school districts, and the U.S. Navy. She retired from civil service in 1993 and began her own secretarial service. In 2005 Sheila and George moved to Kennewick, WA, where their daughter lives. She and George are members of Quinault Baptist Church. Sheila is preceded in death by her parents, brother, sister-in-law, and granddaughter. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, George, of Kennewick, WA; son, Steve (Diane) of Beaverton, OR; daughter, Sherry (Bill Wecks) of Bend, OR; daughter, Kim (Jack King) of Kennewick, WA, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sheila left this earth to be with her Savior on Tuesday, July 30, 2013. A celebration of her life will be held at Quinault Baptist Church, 5400 Canal Dr., Kennewick, WA on Saturday, August 10 at 2:00. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tricityherald/obituary.aspx?n=sheila-r-avis&pid=166167109#fbLoggedOut Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tricityherald/obituary.aspx?n=sheila-r-avis&pid=166167109#storylink=cpy