Ava Gwendolyn Belle Isle

BELLE ISLE, Ava Gwendolyn-

Ava Gwendolyn Andrews Belle Isle ("Gwen") went to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, January 22, 2008 in Valrico, FL.  She was 88 years old.  Gwen was born in Atlanta, GA on December 27, 1919 and lived there until 2003.  The youngest daughter of William E. and Virginia Cash Andrews, Gwen was raised on Capital Avenue.  She graduated from Commercial High School in 1937 and married her high school sweetheart, Harry Poague Belle Isle, in 1939.  They were happily married almost 52 years at his death in 1991.  Gwen was a devoted mother and grandmother and active volunteer in her church and community.  She served many years as President of the Christian Women's Club; she served in various positions, including President, of the Therrell High Band Boosters over the 10 years her children were in the band; and held many different offices in PTA. A charter member of the First Alliance Church in Atlanta, Gwen was active in many aspects of the church including the Women's Missionary Prayer Fellowship for over 75 years.  She and Harry were AYF directors and S.S. teachers while their five children were in the programs.  Gwen enjoyed sewing and writing.  She and Harry loved raising roses, traveling and entertaining missionaries in their home.  Gwen is preceded in death by her husband Harry Poague Belle Isle, Atlanta, son Harry Robert Belle Isle, Gainesville and grandson Buddy Eugene "Gene" Belle Isle, Jr., Atlanta.  She is survived by her son Buddy Eugene Belle Isle, Sr., Atlanta, daughter and son-in-law Sherri Belle Isle and Benjamin Burgher, Clay City, KY, son and daughter-in-law Rev. David Andrew and Laura Belle Isle, Gastonia, NC, daughter and son-in-law Renee' Belle Isle and Philip Green, Valrico, FL, Mrs. Harry Robert Belle Isle "Janet", Bluffton, SC, Mrs. Kathy B. Cyran, Americas and grandchildren, Michelle Nicole Belle Isle, Tucker, Charles William "Chip" Belle Isle, Tucker, Christopher Andrew Belle Isle, Concord, NC, David Christian Belle Isle, Alpharetta,  Rebekah Green Scheller, Limassol, Cyprus, Victoria Paige Green, Valrico, FL,  Jonathan Samuel and Ava Joanna Burgher of Clay City, KY, Andrew Bayne Belle Isle, Jonathan David Belle Isle and Stephen Lawrence Belle Isle all of Gastonia, SC. and five great-grandchildren Caroline Olivia  Belle Isle and Joshua Robert Belle Isle, Concord, NC, Colton Christian Belle Isle and Kayley Christian Belle Isle, Alpharetta, GA, and Audrey Hannah Scheller of Limassol, Cyprus, and several nieces and nephews.  Funeral services will be at First Alliance Church, Decatur, GA Saturday, January 26, 2008. The family will receive visitors from 1:30 PM to 3:00PM on Saturday with services immediately following at 3 PM in the sanctuary.  Interment at Melwood Cemetey. Donations may be made in Ava Gwendolyn Belle Isle's name to Trans World Radio, PO Box 8700, Cary, NC 27512 or Far East Broadcasting Company, PO Box 1, La Mirada, CA 90637-0001 in lieu of flowers. A. S. Turner & Sons