Dr. Avis Yvonne Pointer

“A Life Well Lived” Dr. Avis Yvonne Pointer departed this life on Thursday, January 3, 2014. She was blessed with a fully active and productive life. Avis Y. Pointer was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 30, 1938 to the late Powtan H. and Anna L. Pointer. She was the oldest of three children. Avis attended Lincoln Elementary School in Richmond Heights, Missouri, then Webster Sr. High in Webster Grove, Missouri, graduating from Maplewood Richmond Heights Senior High in Maplewood, Missouri In June, 1956. Avis traveled across the USA playing Ping Pong while in high school and she won the Second National Ping Pong Championship in Chicago, Illinois. Avis attended Howard University from 1956-1960, where she earned a BS degree in Psychology. She earned an MS in Social Work from Howard in 1962. She continued her studies at Brandeis University, where she was awarded her PhD in Social Welfare Administration, Social Policy and Research in 1974. After completing her Doctorate, she relocated to Washington, D.C. where she was employed by Howard University until her retirement in 1992. Avis held many administrative positions during her tenure at Howard University. Her career also included the following: Vice President for Research and Development at the National Medical Association; Vice President, Center for Human Services, University Research Corporation; President of Marjorie Webster College; and Director of Academic Affairs, New York Institute for Technology, Nova University. She tutored minority women pursuing MS and PhD degrees through her own company, Quantum Leap. Avis worked with the US Agency for International Affairs and was an advisor to State Department for Education for their schools abroad. Avis, along with her brother and sister-in-law joined Reid Temple A.M.E. Church on April 26, 1976 under the pastorate of Rev. Kearney Watson. She was very active in leadership roles at Reid. These included: Stewardship and Finance, Women’s Council, Founding member of the Reid Community Development Corporation (RCDC), James A. Parker Lay Organization, the Church Picnic Committee, and chaired the Flower Club. She also tutored students at Reid in passing the SAT Examination, and created a Scholarship for continuing college students. Avis was a very vocal leader. She was known for speaking her mind particularly in Board meetings. For many years, Avis held an Open House at Christmas for her family, friends and church members. She was known to entertain them with her book of jokes. They were quite funny. Avis was an avid reader and loved to travel. She traveled all over the world. Avis was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She also held memberships in the following organizations: American Public Health Association; Alcohol and Drug Problems; Academy of Certified Social Workers; American Association of Higher Education and many others. She was an excellent and prolific writer and published a number of papers and journal articles. Avis was preceded in death by her brother, Andrew Pointer. She leaves to mourn one brother, Dr. Howard E. Pointer, one sister-in-law, Betty M. Pointer, one niece, Anna Marie Pointer Hollins (Garland), a great niece, Tave Hollins, a God-niece, Kelli Johnson (Lamarr), and a host of other family members and friends.

Tributes

Dr. Avis Yvonne Pointer

August 30, 1938 - January 3, 2014