Avalee Philhours

Ella Avalee Tucker Philhours, the best Barbie player ever, passed from this life May 22, 2013, surrounded by her family. Ava's smile warmed countless rooms since the day of her birth on July 14, 1936. Ava was married to Franklin Philhours for forty-seven years. Franklin and Ava have two sons, Judge Randy Philhours of Paragould, Arkansas, and Joel Philhours of Nashville, Tennessee. She was salutatorian of the Oak Grove High School Class of 1954 and a retired nurse. Ava was a member of the Methodist family and also attended the Seventh and Mueller Church of Christ. The daughter of pioneering Arkansas families, Ava was born in Baxter County Arkansas to Clarence Napoleon and Eula Bell Suggs Tucker. The place of her birth is now under Norfork Lake. Ava is survived by her sons, daughters-in-law, Melodie Philhours and Marci Philhours, and her five granddaughters, Jordan, Molly and Olivia Philhours, Erica Philhours Scott, and Mallory Philhours. She was preceded in death by her husband Franklin, her parents, her brother and three sisters and numerous beloved pets. Ava's visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 24, at Heath Funeral Home in Paragould. The funeral service will follow at noon, also at Heath Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Kennett. Memorials may be made to Mission Outreach Charitable Clinic, P.O. Box 1122, Paragould, AR 72450, or PAWS, P.O. Box 563, Paragould, AR 72450. Sign online guestbook at www.heathfuneralhome.com.