SAINT GEORGE :     Mr. Richard H. "Dickie" Avant passed away early Wednesday morning, October 12, 2022 at his home in Saint George, surrounded by his family, under hospice care.  He was 79.

Dickie was born in Walterboro December 5, 1942, a son of the late Heber S. Avant and Dorothy Coleman Avant.  He was the retired owner/operator and President of Avant Construction in Walterboro.  His hobbies included enduro motorcycle racing, and NHRA/IHRA drag racing.  Dickie was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting exotic animals and sport fishing, and in his spare time he watched Fox News and loved sipping on Salty Dog cocktails.

Dickie is survived by his four children:  Nikki King (Clyde), Denise Gerard (Don), David Avant (Missy) and Danny Avant.  There are seven grandchildren:  Natalie King, Julianne, Brad and Kenzie Gerard, and Brett, Lexi and Ally Avant.  There are four great-grandchildren.  Dickie leaves behind an honorary son Jackson Weaver, and by his former wife Letitia Pye.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Smith Avant.

Graveside services will be held Saturday morning, October 15, 2022 at 11:00 at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Walterboro.  The family will receive friends during a time of visitation Friday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, 117 Paul Street in Walterboro.