Avis H. Meeks, 86 years young, passed away July 22, 2017 at Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick. She was born April 19, 1931, in Erie, Pennsylvania to John and Dorothy Hambley. In 1943 she learned her father (a millwright) would be leaving their Michigan home to take employment in Richland, WA.  After months of separation and a long train ride, the family reunited in Pasco.  She spotted her “daddy” in the crowd of a hundred men awaiting their families and against her mother’s caution, bolted & ran to his loving arms. Her father promised his wife and three daughters they would never be separated again.  Avis was a hard worker and soon after arriving began babysitting to earn money. She wore her success when she was able buy her own fashionable school clothes.  In 1948 she fell in love with and married, Harold T. Meeks. Together they had 4 children and made their home in Richland, where she lived the rest of her days. The doorway to her home and her heart were always open and she welcomed all who entered, including the steady flow of neighborhood children. While her children were growing, she took in sewing, ironing and babysitting to help supplement the family income.  She enjoyed traveling, camping, singing, cooking, painting, crocheting, reading, and gardening which included competing at flower shows and winning numerous 1^st place awards. Later in her life she learned to square dance and even traveled around the state with a dancing group because, “it was so much fun!”  She also enjoyed volunteering at the Richland library book store. She was an active member of the Seventh - day Adventist church, where she was often found at the entrance welcoming all who entered in the door.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Lois. She is survived by her four children, Dale, Garry (Lanette), Mark (Sharon), Linda (Dan), sister Elaine (Jim) Glenn, six grandchildren, Tami Keas, David (Ashley) Parker, Bruce and Annie Castaing, Heather (Doug) Odom, John Meeks, Jessica (Jordan) Sillito, Dakota Meeks and eight great-grandchildren who loved their “gramma-whitehair”.

You may be gone from our site but you will never be gone from our hearts. Rest in peace Mom, you deserve it.

Our family thanks the staff at Chaplaincy Hospice House for the excellent care given to our precious mother. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hospice House.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date.