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Obituary for Reverend John Lee Averitt
Reverend John Lee Averitt, 66, of Clinton, MS met his Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face on May 13, 2021. Reverend Averitt was born on August 8, 1954, in Winchester, KY and was one of six children of Dr. Thomas Edgar Averitt and Mary Jo Averitt. He was raised in Winchester until his family relocated to Thomson, GA in 1967. While he grew up attending church, it was at the age of 19 that he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior while watching a televised Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusade. After graduating from Thomson High School in 1972, he attended Middle Georgia College, and later the University of Georgia where he graduated in 1976. He spent two years studying the Word of God at Reach Out Ranch Precept Ministries in Chattanooga, TN, where he was discipled by Jack and Kay Arthur. He attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX where he received a Master of Divinity degree in 1984. For over 25 years, John served faithfully in Christian ministry as a pastor in Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama. He will be remembered as a strong, sincere preacher of the Word of God and a devout man of prayer. He was a lifelong fan of the Kentucky Wildcats Men’s basketball program and cheered for the Georgia Bulldogs in football. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Clinton, MS. Reverend Averitt was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Thomas Edgar Averitt and Mary Jo Axmacher Averitt, and sisters, Mary Louise Averitt Wilson and Jane Averitt Guerrant. He is survived by his wife, Joy Gore Averitt, son, Joel James Averitt, mother-in-law, Janie James Gore of Clinton, MS; brother Tom (Jocelyn) Averitt of Greer, SC; two sisters, Debbie (Mike) Dougher of Chattanooga,TN and Melissa Jo Averitt of Thomson, GA; brother-in-laws, John W. (Jay) Wilson of Thomson, GA and John T. Gore of Clinton, MS; sister-in-law, Mary Jane Gore Savage (John) of Franklin, TN; nephews, Will Guerrant, Scott Savage, Jeff Savage; nieces, Louise Frances Averitt and Alix Rose Averitt. Private funeral arrangements will be made by Sebrell Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS. Memorial gifts may be made to promote the spread of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. The family wishes to express thanks to the staff of Compassus Hospice.