Shirley A. Avila's Obituary
Shirley A. Avila, age 84, of Gainesville, FL died Sunday, April 4, 2021. Shirley was born May 22, 1936 to Clyde and Louise Gay Harpe in Sasser, GA. Shirley met and married her husband, a marine in the USMC, Don Avila in Sasser, GA. and then moved to Lynwood, CA. where they had a son, Tony. The family eventually moved to Lincoln, NE. where Don earned his doctorate in Psychology. His first teaching position was as a Professor of Psychology at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL., where he taught for 26 years. Shirley received her AA degree from Santa Fe Jr. College. She enjoyed an extremely rewarding career as a bookkeeper with the engineering firm, CH2 III Hill where she was the 2nd baseman on their company’s softball team! Their son, Tony also earned his doctorate at University of Florida in the field of School Psychology. She was immensely proud of his accomplishment.
Shirley loved and excelled in all sports and especially loved baseball and softball. In high school, she and fellow classmate, Patsy Haines Cook won the state doubles championship in tennis.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Louise Harpe and her husband Don Avila. She is survived by her son, Tony (Dalys) Avila of Gainesville, FL; her siblings, Ronald (Sue) Harpe of Bronwood, GA and Laverne White (Bobby) of Albany, GA; granddaughters, Lauren Avila Hunt (Wesley) and Linsday Avila and one great granddaughter, Harper Hunt. She is also survived by many extended family members and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 7, 2021 at 2:30PM at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd. Jacksonville, FL. with honors, and interred next to her husband, Don. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to the International Myeloma Foundation, https://www.myeloma.org/donate or Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606.
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