Mae Avanelle Sayre, 94

Mae Avenelle Sayre, 94, of West Portsmouth, went to be with her Lord on Friday, November 24, 2017. She was born to the late Ralph and Otley Rapp, Sr., on June 15, 1923, in Nauvoo, Ohio. Along with her parents, Avanelle was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Harold Martin Sayre, two sisters, Sabrina Bernthold and Emma Rickman, and one brother, Ralph Rapp, Jr.

Avanelle is survived by her son, Harold Raymond "Bud" Sayre (Connie) of West Portsmouth, two grandchildren, Jodi Robinson and Chad Sayre (Alison) all of West Portsmouth, five great-grandchildren, Jordan, Chandler, Eli, Aiden and Emma, two sisters, Nancy Shepherd (Frank) and Carolyn Rutledge, and many nieces, nephews and special friends.

After graduating from Washington High School (Portsmouth West), Avanelle went to work for Williams' Manufacturing and Scioto Motors. Later, she became the cafeteria manager at Jenkins Elementary in the Washington Local School District from where she retired after many years of service. Avanelle was also a committeeman for the Republican party, Boy Scout mother, and Brownie Troop leader. She was a dedicated member of the Oldtown United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and participated in the Upper Room class Bible studies. Avanelle continued working in the church by teaching Sunday School and organizing the Oldtown Wee Ones preschool Bible program. Along with her active involvement with these organizations, one of her greatest enjoyments was watching or listening to Portsmouth West athletics, following Johnny Bench and the Cincinnati Reds, and watching the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show; she loved her dogs!

Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Monday, November 27, 2017, at Oldtown United Methodist Church in West Portsmouth with Gary Hopkins and Greg Carter officiating and interment in Rushtown Cemetery. Friends may call at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth from 5:00-8:00 on Sunday, and at the church one hour prior to the service on Monday.. The family would like to thank the Southern Ohio Medical Center and Hospice staff for the care they gave and compassion they showed. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com.