WEST POINT — John Alford Avant, 67, died Aug. 28, 2025, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. 

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, at Union Star M.B. Church, with Gregory Pegues officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, at Carter’s Mortuary Services. Carter’s Mortuary Services of West Point is in charge o f arrangements. 

Mr. Avant was born March 7, 1958, in Clay County, to the late Jim Frank Avant and Mary Helen Avant. He was a veteran. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jason Avant; brothers, Emmitt Chandler and James Fank Chandler; and sister, Lavada McBride. 

He is survived by his wife, Vanessa Avant; sons, Cory Avant, Derrick Avant and Cody Ewing; daughters, Teri Avant and Miranda Avant; brothers, John Odom, Roosevelt Avant, Howard Aven and Will Avant; sisters, Lena Maxwell, Shirley Lane and Rosa Lee Cheers; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.