James "Jay" Averhart Jr

James "Jay" Averhart Jr., 71, of Naylor, Mo., died Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 at his home. Mr. Averhart was born Jan. 23, 1946, in Bay, Ark. He worked as an auto mechanic and enjoyed squirrel hunting and training squirrel dogs, cutting grass, and visiting at the Naylor Quick Connection. He was a member of the Pentecostal Church in Success, Ark. and a National Guard veteran. On Oct. 8, 1971, he married Sharon Yarbrough. She survives. Also surviving a son, Dustin Averhart of St. Clair, Mo.; five sisters, Chris Young of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Brenda Lepold of Naylor, Debbie Hester and Sarah Schinnerer of Gulf Port, Miss., and Mary Durant of the state of Washington; one brother, Bill Averhart of Long Beach, Miss.; and a grandson, Cody Averhart. He was preceded in death by his parents, James William Averhart Sr. in 1971 and Ollie L. Thomas Averhart in 1989; one sister, Pansy Landreth, and one brother, Gene Averhart. Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2017, at Fowler-Sullivan Memorial Chapel in Neelyville. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Richard Mahan officiating. Burial will be in Gum Cemetery near Naylor.