Nancy Starr Avery

Chapel Hill, NC – Nancy Avery, age 86, died at a local hospital on January 29, 2024.

Born in Columbia, S. C., Nancy and her mother later moved to a home on Hillsborough Rd in Chapel Hill when she was two years old. Her mother found employment as a secretary in the Education Department at UNC. Nancy enjoyed laughing and chatting with others and made lasting friendships wherever she went. She was a lifelong resident of Chapel Hill and cheerfully served on the Chapel Hill High School reunion committee for decades.

Nancy graduated with a B.A. in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1959 and earned a Masters in Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1976. A long-time math teacher and Chair of the Math Department at Durham Technical Community College, Nancy enjoyed teaching a diverse student body and developed lifelong friendships with her colleagues in education.

Nancy belonged to University Presbyterian Church on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, NC, and until later years, often helped make the coffee for fellowship hour on Sundays. An ardent fan of UNC football and a proud Rams Club member, she held season tickets for over 30 years and relished attending home games with her son, Ted. As a member of the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill, Nancy often volunteered her time helping with events at the Horace Williams House such as the annual 4th of July celebration.

Nancy is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Avery Douds and son-in-law, Steve Douds of Scottsdale, Arizona; a son, Ted Avery and daughter-in-law, Jane Avery, of Durham, NC; and two grandchildren, Kathryn Avery McIntosh of Raleigh, NC and Caleb Avery of Durham, NC.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at the University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Preservation Society.

The Avery family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.