Dr. Martha Milo-Avery, 82, departed this life Friday, April 12, 2019.
Martha was born in Greensboro, North Carolina. She was a graduate of Hampton Institute (University) and a longtime resident of Hampton. Martha was a stellar educator with Hampton City Schools for 33 years, until she retired in 1991.
After retirement, she served as an adjunct professor at Hampton University and Christopher Newport University. She was active in the Hampton University, Columbia University and Nova University alumni associations, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Daughters of Isis, NAACP and many other organizations.
She also served on the Peninsula Agency on Aging Board of Directors, Hampton Employees Retirement System Board of Directors, as a member of the Hampton Comprehensive Committee, March of Dimes, Hampton Roads Educators Credit Union Scholarship Committee, Jack & Jill Inc. Hampton Holidays Inc. and worked on other numerous committees for civic and community organizations.
As a member of St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, Martha was a member of the choir, Episcopal Church Women, served as a past vestry member and worked on many church-related committees.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick Douglas Avery Sr. and Annie Rachel Allison Avery; brother, Fred Douglas Avery Jr.; and sisters, Geraldine Avery Dawson and Mary Frances Simmons.
She is survived by her loving son, Terrance Milo (Tonya); granddaughter, Ashley; five nieces, Karen McAdoo of Hampton, Helen Avery Russell and Katherine “Dee” Avery Maynard of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Khalilah Allah-Lee of Jamaica, New York; two nephews, Earl Simmons Jr. of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Avery Kalvin Simmons (Hazel) of Greensboro, North Carolina; dear friend of 75 years, Eleanor Hill; and several cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews and close family friends.
Viewing will begin at 1 p.m., Monday, April 22, at O.H. Smith & Son Funeral Home followed by an Omega Omega service conducted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. at 6 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, 1242 W. Queen St., Hampton. Dr. Milo-Avery will lie in state from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church on Tuesday. Family and friends will assemble at the church by 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be held in Hampton Memorial Gardens.
Share online condolences with the family at O.H. Smith & Son Funeral Home.
