Avanelle Dora

Avanelle Vincent Dora, 87, formerly of 1330 Forest Hills Dr., Vincennes, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 30, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital. She was the youngest of seven born to Paris Sylvester and Druscilla Ellen (Vinson) Vincent in Cleaton, KY. Avanelle moved with her parents and siblings to Vincennes when she was nine. In Vincennes, Avanelle attended Clark Junior High School and Lincoln High School, graduating with honors in the class of 1940 at the age of 16. She started work as a secretary, first in the Foncannon Law office, and then in the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. On May 2, 1949, she married Robert E. Dora at Sacred Heart Church in Vincennes. Avanelle and Bob were married for 24 years until his untimely death at age 46. Surviving the parents are their eight children, Michael Dora, Indianapolis; Robert (Mimi) Dora, Fishers, IN; John Dora, Nashville, IN; Joseph (Chris) Dora, Kenosha, WI; Rebecca (Frank) Culbertson, Centreville, VA; Timothy (Cindy) Dora, Carmel, IN; Kathleen Dora of Vincennes, and Patrick Dora, Williams, AZ.; Mrs. Dora was blessed with 25 grandchildren; Vincent, Robbie and Steven Dora; Jay and Jordan Dora, Christina and Michelle Dora; Wendy Ray, Amanda, Ashley, Frank III and Anne Culbertson; Peter, Ashley, Dan, Tom and Chris Dora; Jennifer, Zachary and Alicia Johnson, Tyler Dora, Caleb and Ryan Neumann; Alex and Chad Dora. The blessings continue with 6 great-grandchildren: Kaden Dora; Kayleigh, Sophie and Eloise Culbertson; and Charles and Caroline Ray. Her surviving sister, Dee Evans, lives in Lincoln, Preceding her in death were her parents; her brothers, Leslie, Sylvester and Leo; and her sisters, Mildred Ferguson and Gladys Becker. Avanelle was an avid bridge player and was skilled in knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, cross-stitch and fine embroidery. She was a gifted painter of porcelain. She loved to garden and fish, and she was (self-proclaimed) the best mushroom hunter in the county. Her good humor and steadfast friendship were cherished by her many friends and bridge partners in Vincennes. And Grammy's warm, welcoming love will always be a part of the lives of her children and grandchildren - and very much missed.Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Goodwin Funeral Home.Entombment will follow in the Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 5-8 Friday at the funeral home and people may share condolences with the family at www.goodwinfamilyfh.com