Avonell J. Zimmerman

Mrs. Avonell Johnson Zimmerman of Buffalo passed away on Friday, November 26, 2021, at the age of 91 at Spartanburg Regional Hospital. The widow of James Lester Zimmerman, she was a daughter of the late Ernell and Connie Johnson. She is survived by her daughter, Sondra and son-in-law, Earl Black; grandson Adam Black and his wife Catherine of Summerville, granddaughter Melissa Franks and her husband Rodney of Williamsburg, Virginia and a son-in-law, Michael Brown of Spartanburg. Also surviving are siblings: Betty Jo Simmons, Douglas Johnson (Gail), Jimmy Johnson and Joyce Hall all of Buffalo, numerous nieces, nephews, and a child of the heart, Renae Whitmore.

Avonell was pre-deceased by her daughter, Janice Brown and two sisters, Hetty Johnson and Helen Kingsmore. She was a graduate of Union County School system where she worked as a teacher's aide with special needs children at the Monarch and Buffalo Elementary schools before her retirement.

Always active in her community and her church, she served many years as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. A faithful member of Buffalo United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Pat Flood Circle, the Handbell Choir and former president of the United Methodist Woman, Chancel Choir, MYF leader and Mother of the year in 2016. She was Mother and Nana of the year to her family every year. She lived and served her Buffalo community her entire life and was honored to be selected as Christmas Parade Grand Marshall for which would have been on Sunday, November 28, 2021.

Services will be at 2:00 PM Monday, November 29, 2021, at Buffalo United Methodist Church conducted by the Rev. Jeff Farmer and Rev. Ron Towery. Burial will follow at Union Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be Monday from 1:00 until 2:00 PM at the church prior to the services.

Active pallbearers will be Allen Black, Robbie Cooper, Steve Burress, Russell Sanders, Keith Wright, and Tim Harrison.  The members of Pat Flood Circle are asked to sit in a group.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Buffalo United Methodist Church, P.O. 176, Buffalo, SC 29321.