Terry Avans

Terry Dwight Avans, Sr., age 73, of Dalton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, 2026.

A funeral service to celebrate Terry’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Larry Moore Memorial Chapel of Moore Funeral Home in Trenton, Georgia. Brother Jonathan Barlow and Brother Michael Kilgore will officiate the service. Terry will be laid to rest at Gib Dock Stephens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 PM and on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the service hour.

Terry was born on February 23, 1953, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the late Gunter and Emma Stephens Avans. He graduated from Davis High School in 1971 and Cleveland State University in 1977.

Terry devoted his career to helping others as a teacher of visually impaired students with Dalton Public Schools. He continued his education in ministry and earned a Doctorate of Biblical Studies from Rock of Ages Theological Seminary on March 28, 2019.

His faith was an important part of his life and he attended First Baptist Church of Dalton. During a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2023, he was baptized at Yardenit on the Jordan River, visited Jerusalem, and sailed and prayed aboard a replica of the “Jesus Boat” on the Sea of Galilee. He also enjoyed motorcycling and traveling.

Terry cherished every opportunity to spend time with those he loved. Whether it was a family gathering, a holiday celebration, or a simple visit, he found great joy in being surrounded by family and friends. His laughter, stories, and genuine love of togetherness created memories that will be treasured for generations. His greatest happiness came from the moments shared with those closest to his heart.

In addition to his parents, Terry was preceded in death by his brothers, Sherman Avans and Lamarel Avans; and his sisters, Prinel Batey and Ernestine Avans.

He is survived by his sons, Tres B. Avans and Terry D. “TJ” (Jennifer) Avans, Jr., both of Trenton, Georgia; his sisters, Brenda Moore, Jean Hill, and Karen Haun; his brother, Gary C. Avans; along with other extended family members and friends.