Avis Helen Axelson

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Avis Helen Axelson, 97, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Reverend Ken Norton. Burial will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery in North Kingston, Rhode Island.

Avis was born March 20, 1925, in Barrington, Rhode Island, to James R. Secor and Carrie M. Robinson Secor. She passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2023, in Bossier City, Louisiana, surrounded by her loved ones.

After the death of her father, Avis graduated high school, gave up her dream of becoming a nurse, and got a job to help support her and her mother.  She met the love of her life after World War II while working on the church newspaper, and her love for Donald L. Axelson, Sr., began to blossom.  They got married in 1947 and had two sons.  Avis always had strong faith in the Lord and had a servant’s heart, always willing to help people in need.  She really enjoyed oil painting throughout her senior years.  Avis was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to all.

Avis is preceded in death by her parents, James R. Secor, Carrie M. Robinson Brown, and Charles F. Brown; husband, Donald L. Axelson, Sr.; and son, Donald L. Axelson, Jr. She is survived by her son, Peter D. Axelson; daughter-in-law, Pamela Peterson Axelson; 9 grandchildren, Kimberly Axelson Palombo, Danielle Brown and husband, Caleb, Stephanie Parry and husband, Alik, Derek Axelson and wife, Abby, Talon Brown, and Jacob Page; 9 great-grandchildren, Sarah Autwell and husband, Chance, Kyle Palombo and wife, Hayley, Samantha Megil and husband, Michael, Bennett Brown, Malikai Parry, and Clara Brown; 3 great-great-grandchildren, Bailey Palombo, Travis Keener, and Lorelei Autwell. 

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105, stjude.org.