Emilie Avery

It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of Emilie Tull Avery, who left us on March 14, 2025 at the age of 93.

Emilie was born in Independence, Kansas on December 24, 1931 to Girley & Ida May Tull, the youngest of 11 children, and lived there until the family moved to Bremerton, Washington when she was just eleven, where she attended Silverdale Grade School and Bremerton High School, graduating in 1950.

Emilie met her beloved husband Clayton Avery Jr, whom she called JR, at a dance and they married on January 27, 1951. They made their home in Poulsbo, Washington where they raised five children, enjoying many family activities over the years such as 4-H, horseshows, rodeos, camping, horse clubs, sporting events, graduations and of course, antiquing.

In the late 50's Emilie entered a pancake race where she had to flip pancakes from a cast iron skillet over an 8 foot high wire and catch them on the other side, all while running a quarter mile. She won that race where she earned a spot to race again in Disneyland, where she, of course, won again. The cast iron skillet trophy has been displayed proudly on the wall of her home ever since.

Emilie loved the beach, fishing, playing cards, knitting, crocheting, sewing, gardening with JR, bingo, dancing, travelling with her family, golfing and especially bowling. She was one of the top 10 female bowlers in Kitsap County in 1965 and bowled for many years, well into her 80's.

Emilie was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Clayton Avery Jr, her parents, Girley & Ida May Tull, her siblings, Elison, Malicy, Joseph, Forrest, Josephine, Billy J, Vivian, Guy, John & Margureitt; leaving her the last member of her generation of the Tull family, her granddaughter, Sondra May Carter, her grandson, Jaecen Bradley Avery, her daughter, Connie Roberts and her son-in-law, Wilfred L. Dibley Jr.

Emilie is survived by her children, Robert C. (Mary) Avery, Billie May (Barney) Graden, Darlene Y. Dibley and Dale F. (Kitty) Avery, 10 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren & great-great grandchildren, as well as many nieces & nephews.

Known to many as 'Em', 'Aunt Em' or 'Granny', Emilie was one of a kind. She never met a stranger, lived life to the fullest and touched so many with her generosity and infectious energy, even at 93. She will be forever missed.

Memorial Services will be held at The Stone Chapel Poulsbo Mortuary located at 22272 Foss Road NE in Poulsbo on April 2nd at 10:00 am. Please join the family for a reception after the services at 22290 Foss Rd NE Poulsbo, WA 98370.