Leigh Ann Avery Hart

Leigh Ann Avery Hart, 62 of Dresden, passed away Friday morning, June 4, 2021, peacefully at her home, surrounded by family and friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Southside church of Christ in Dresden at 1:00 pm, with Will Norrid and Mark Maddox officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday at Southside church of Christ from 11:00 am until service time at 1 pm. Coach Hart was the wife of a loving and devoted husband, William F. "Dickie" Hart, the mother of Haley Margaret Hart of Dresden and stepmother of Andrew Hart of Knoxville. Although Leigh accomplished many things in her life, she considered her greatest blessings to be her granddaughters, Avery Leigh and Anna Margaret. Leigh was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Thomas L. Avery. Leigh is survived by her mother, Mary Margaret Fuqua Avery, her brother Paul Joseph Avery, her sister-in-law, Shelly Napier Avery, niece Tyler Napier Avery, and nephew, Austin Lee Avery, all of Bartlett, TN. Leigh was a good and faithful member of Lebanon church of Christ. She was supported by a legion of extended family members and friends who she considered family as she battled cancer for the past 28 months. Being a friend and mentor to many, and such a valuable part of her community and county, Leigh often commented to be grateful to her "prayer warriors" from near and far. As a retired teacher and coach who taught health, and physical education while coaching basketball and softball at Dresden Jr High and Dresden Middle School, Leigh touched the lives of hundreds of students in the classroom, on the court, and on the field. She made a lasting impact with her "mentally tough" attitude. Leigh held a Masters degree in Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she was a student-athlete. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers and gifts, donations be made to an account that has been set up at Simmons Bank for the the benefit of Avery Leigh and Anna Margaret.