AVANELL BEEKMAN ZIMMERMAN, age 98, of Jeffersonville, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 3:26 a.m. at Carriage Court of Washington CH where she had resided for the past eight years. She was born on February 4, 1920 in Highland County to Ulrie and Allie Smart Beekman. She was a graduate of Greenfield McClain High School and then attended the Alfred Holbrook College in Manchester, Ohio.
Later she returned to Wilmington College where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Avanell taught elementary school for the Miami Trace School District and Washington City Schools and retired after twenty-seven years of service. She had been a member at the Jeffersonville United Methodist Church for over sixty-five years.
Avanell was also active in the sewing club, the Farm Bureau Council, Delta Kappa Gamma; she also volunteered her time at the Fayette County Life Squad as an EMT, read to children at the Jeffersonville Library and area schools, and served as a volunteer for the Fayette County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidering, reading the Bible, and being with her family and grandchildren. Avanell was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Zimmerman Sr., whom she married on January 26, 1947; infant daughter, Avajean Zimmerman; grandson, Matthew Robert Zimmerman; great-granddaughter, Haley Brooke Swayne; siblings, Eloise (Robert) Summers, and Lloyd (Lillian) Beekman; nephew, Gene Melson; father and mother-in-law, Harold and Nellie Zimmerman; and brothers-in-law, Kermit, Edwin, and Keith Zimmerman and their spouses.
Survivors include her children, Robert Jr. (Joyce) Zimmerman, Roger (Norilee) Zimmerman, and Ron (Jamie) Zimmerman; grandchildren, Beth Anne (Ryan) LeBeau, Ryan (Heidi) Zimmerman, Wesley Zimmerman, and Katelyn (Jordan) Smith, Luke, Garrett, and Gracelyn Zimmerman; great-grandchildren, Kenedi, and Landon LeBeau, and Bailey, Joel, and Reese Zimmerman. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends. The family would like to thank the staff at Carriage Court and Heartland Hospice for the outstanding care they provided.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Jeffersonville United Methodist Church, 13 E. High St., Jeffersonville, OH 43128, Heartland Hospice, 116 Morris Rd. Suite B, Circleville, OH 43113, or the Jeffersonville Library, 8 N. Main St., Jeffersonville, OH 43128. The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 23, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Jeffersonville United Methodist Church with Pastor Tom Knauff officiating with burial to follow at the Fairview Cemetery.
Friends may visit at the church on Sunday afternoon from 2-5:00 p.m. and again on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Summers Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
