Doris Elizabeth Avery

Doris Elizabeth Avery’s presence first graced this earth in Omaha, Nebraska on January 6, 1924, as the third child of Henry William Clark, Sr. and Nancy Pearl Thomas’ seven children. Her siblings were Henry Thomas, Jr. , Gerald Thomas, Eugene Thomas, Colleen Blakely, Be‑y Jean Gunn and Rosalie Thomas. She a‑ended Technical High School in Omaha. After graduating from high school, Doris broke racial barriers in healthcare as the first African American personal care assistant to be employed at Clear view Veteran’s Hospital, Omaha’s first veterans care facility. In 1944, Doris was joined in marriage to Vincil Thomas Clark, Sr. Seven children were born from that union: Vincil, Jr., Donald, Hampton, Ronald, Rodger, Delores, and Craig. Following the loss of her first husband in December 1965, she was blessed to find love again as she married Willie Aver y, Jr. in 1968. This union added another son, Kelley Aver y. After 43 years of marriage, Doris was once again a widow following the transition of her second husband Willie in 2012. Doris adored her children. She cherished her heritage because she knew they are gifts from the Lord. Following her retirement, Doris continued caring for her family in the many roles of mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Doris truly loved her family and had a deeply compassionate heart; but she was always careful to not blow her own cover. Underneath the hard exterior of her fussing, was a soft, ginormous heart. On Wednesday, December 7, 2021, Doris made her transition to eternity. She is preceded in death by her parents Henry, Sr. and Nancy Thomas; siblings, Henry Thomas, Jr., Gerald Thomas, Eugene Thomas, Colleen Blakely, Be‑y Jean Gunn, and Rosalie Thomas; spouses Vincil Thomas Clark, Sr. and Willie Aver y; children Vincil Thomas Clark, Jr.; Donald Clark, Hampton Clark, grandchild Tracie Clark and great-grandchild Christian Tolliver-Clark. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter Delores Ewing OF Omaha, NE sons Ronald Clark of San Antonio, TX; Rodger Clark of Omaha, NE; Craig Clark Sr. of Omaha, NE; Kelley Aver y of Omaha, Nebraska; 35 grandchildren; and 79 great-grandchildren; 41 great-great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at Roeder Mortuary, 4932 Ames Ave. Funeral Service: 1:00 PM Thursday, December 16, 2021 also at the mortuary. Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery.