Avis Emelda Raysor

Avis Emelda Raysor passed away peacefully Nov. 28, 2024, at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla. Avis was born May 19, 1939, to the parents of Phyllis Bacchus (deceased) and Harold Bailey (deceased) in Georgetown, Guyana. She was the eldest of nine brothers and sisters.

Avis attended primary school at Queenstown Roman Catholic and later matriculated at Jane Sergeant Commercial School, where she earned advanced professional certificates in typewriting, shorthand and English. She worked at Guyana Lithographic Company as the secretary to the general manager. Avis loved and participated in competitive cycle racing, as well as modeling and singing. She was an active member of both Clarkston and Smiths Congregational churches in Georgetown, Guyana.

Avis met George Raysor (deceased) while in Georgetown, and they were married on April 21, 1967, to which this union produced two daughters. The family migrated to the United States in 1972, where Avis later earned her citizenship. She worked as the kitchen manager of the St. Marys Elementary School for more than 30 years before retiring. Her love for cooking drew people in, along with her infectious smile and quick sense of humor. Avis was also a faithful member of the First African Baptist Church of St. Marys, Ga., for more than 50 years where she served in the kitchen and sung in the choir.

She was preceded in death by her spouse and siblings, Colin, Raye, Lilette and Paul. Avis is survived by daughters Marlena (Niki) Lundie of Decatur, Ga., and Sharon (Kevin) Grant of St. Marys; adopted daughter, Nichelle Mewborn, and her daughters; grandsons, Malik and Marlon Grant and Nicolas Lundie; great-grandson, Miles Grant; adopted granddaughter, Rian Parish; siblings, Sylvia (Kenneth) Marshall, Joy Proctor, Faye Vigilance and Desire (Lenox) Dover; adopted sisters, Beverly Blackmon and Jacqueline (Isaac) Moses; and a host of other adopted grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.