She was born in Gloversville on February 25, 1925 a daughter of Morris and Dorothy Ashton Brown and was a 1943 graduate of Gloversville High School. Alma was a lifelong area resident.
She was employed at the former Loblaw's in Gloversville.
After her marriage to Robert Avery, Alma assisted in the operation of Avery's Inn in Arietta until its closure in 1981. She later enjoyed volunteering at Nathan Littauer Hospital.
In 1996, Alma and her daughter attended a creative writing class, and this was the beginning of her poetry career. She authored over five hundred poems and was published in four books and received numerous awards for her poetry.
Alma married Robert Avery on March 4, 1967. Sadly, he died in 2005.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased a brother, Frank VanSkiver; a sister, Rella Ward; and three stepchildren, Lyman, Bart, and Connie Avery.
Survivors include four children, James (Helene) Oathout of Broadalbin, John (Sally) Oathout of Mayfield, David (Betsy) Oathout of Canada Lake, and Darla (Bradford) Dake of Sullivan's Island, SC; three step-children, John and Gary Avery, and Gail Holmes; a sister, Rebecca (George) Voght of Gloversville; five grandchildren, Lisa (Tony) Johnson, Michael (Donna) Oathout, Michele (Dave) TenEyck, James (Crystal) Oathout, and David (Kayla Lee) Ontko; ten great-grandchildren, Brandon, David, Katie, Cameron, Joseph, Luke, Logan, Matthew, Skye, and Jacob; a great-great-granddaughter, Colbie; several step-grandchildren and -great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Burial will be in Johnstown Cemetery.
She was born in Gloversville on February 25, 1925 a daughter of Morris and Dorothy Ashton Brown and was a 1943 graduate of Gloversville High School. Alma was a lifelong area resident.
She was employed at the former Loblaw's in Gloversville.
After her marriage to Robert Avery, Alma assisted in the operation of Avery's Inn in Arietta until its closure in 1981. She later enjoyed volunteering at Nathan Littauer Hospital.
In 1996, Alma and her daughter attended a creative writing class, and this was the beginning of her poetry career. She authored over five hundred poems and was published in four books and received numerous awards for her poetry.
Alma married Robert Avery on March 4, 1967. Sadly, he died in 2005.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased a brother, Frank VanSkiver; a sister, Rella Ward; and three stepchildren, Lyman, Bart, and Connie Avery.
Survivors include four children, James (Helene) Oathout of Broadalbin, John (Sally) Oathout of Mayfield, David (Betsy) Oathout of Canada Lake, and Darla (Bradford) Dake of Sullivan's Island, SC; three step-children, John and Gary Avery, and Gail Holmes; a sister, Rebecca (George) Voght of Gloversville; five grandchildren, Lisa (Tony) Johnson, Michael (Donna) Oathout, Michele (Dave) TenEyck, James (Crystal) Oathout, and David (Kayla Lee) Ontko; ten great-grandchildren, Brandon, David, Katie, Cameron, Joseph, Luke, Logan, Matthew, Skye, and Jacob; a great-great-granddaughter, Colbie; several step-grandchildren and -great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Burial will be in Johnstown Cemetery.
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