New obit: Nilous Avery, 51-year-pastor at Hill Street Baptist Church in Asheville

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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I totally missed this obituary, but it is every bit as noteworthy as other recent deaths in the community. Dr. Nilous Avery, 87, died on March 6. He was a pillar in Asheville’s African-American community. From Rev. Avery’s obituary on legacy.com:

Born May 11, 1926 in Garner to the late Wesley Clyde and Lilora Rogers Avery, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Christine Watson Avery, in 2011; and three brothers.

Dr. Avery served as pastor of several churches, including 51 years at Hill Street Baptist Church, Asheville, from which he retired in 2002. He served on numerous religious and community boards and commissions, including an appointment by then Gov. James B. Hunt to the State Advisory Budget Commission, and was a civil rights pioneer and advocate in Asheville, Buncombe County and Western North Carolina.

Dr. Avery was also a board member of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Shaw University and Shaw Divinity School, Raleigh. He later served as interim pastor for several churches in Goldsboro and the Raleigh area.

Image link for Dr. Nilous Avery.

Thanks to loyal reader Melissa for the heads-up.