Georgetown: James A. Avant, 66, died Tuesday, July 11, 2006, in Georgetown Memorial Hospital. Mr. Avant was born in Georgetown on April 9, 1940, a son of the late Oscar J. Avant and Jessie L. Tompkins Avant. He lived most of his life in Georgetown and was a graduate of Pleasant Hill High School and served in the National Guard. Mr. Avant was a former employee of Georgetown Steel and retired from the S. C. Dept. of Transportation. He was the widower of Linda Small Avant. Surviving are: a son, Gerald David Avant of Georgetown; three brothers, Odell Avant and his wife Frances, Harvey Avant and his wife Eulene, and Bob Avant and his wife Patty, all of Georgetown; three sisters, Sue Garrison and her husband Bobby, Violet Infinger and her husband Tony, and Penny Avant, all of Georgetown; an aunt, Irene Capps of N. C.; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be three o'clock Friday afternoon, July 14, 2006, at First Assembly of God. Officiating will be Pastor Clifford Coursey. Burial will follow in Pennyroyal Memorial Gardens. Sign a guest book at www.mayerfuneralhome.com. The family will receive friends at First Assembly of God Thursday evening, July 13, 2006, from six until eight. The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Funeral Home: Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home 222 Saint James Street Georgetown, SC US 29440