Coretta Guthrie Avery, 85, of Morehead City, NC, died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Her Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 17 at Munden Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. She will be laid to rest privately at Gethsemane Memorial Park. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through her obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website.

Coretta was born on August 19, 1940, to Bernie and Georgia Willis Guthrie at their home in Salter Path, NC. Coretta was a member at Salter Path United Methodist Church and married Pete in the Parsonage on September 25, 1959. They first lived in Salter Path and moved to Crab Point early in their marriage, only moving once more a few miles closer to Morehead. In 1980 the family joined Temple Baptist Church in Morehead where Coretta sang in the choir and made life-long friends. Coretta and Pete’s faith in Jesus Christ remained strong even after they were unable to attend church.

Coretta had a variety of jobs and employers: Assistant Postmaster at Salter Path Post Office, Tobacco Tier, Morehead Shirt Factory, World Encyclopedia Salesperson, Produce Sales and Delivery, Roses Department Store, and a Bookkeeper and Secretary for both Wade & Lewis Heating & A/C and her husband Pete’s company Coastline Heating & Air. She met many and continued friendships.

Coretta loved to travel, sometimes with just Pete or their children and then grandchildren, or with family and friends! These trips included: West Virginia, Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Bahamas, Scotland, Hawaii, and Alaska. Coretta had fun times at Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Kings Dominion, Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, Tweetsie Railroad, Maggie Valley, Cherokee, and the WV Randolph “Camp”. Her Salter Path roots and love of the water took her trout-fishing in the Haystacks by Crab Point and boat-riding, swimming, and clamming at their Goose Creek “Camp” along with many cookouts, birthday parties, sleepovers, and often included watermelon, pound cake, strawberries, and homemade ice cream!

Coretta always wore a smile, had a laugh, gave a hug, and showed her love! She gave all she had both physically, emotionally, and financially to bless her family and friends. She will be missed by all. We have peace knowing she is happy, healthy, and home with Jesus!

Coretta is survived by her husband, Pete Avery Jr. who resides at Pruitt Health in Beaufort; her son, Pete Avery III and his wife Jennifer of Morehead; and her daughter, Beth Avery Henderson and her husband Bill of Newport. She was a proud grandmother to Stephanie Avery Watson (Jason) of Virginia Beach, Averi Henderson Linderman (Grant) of Morehead, Jon Michael Avery of Newport, Jenna Henderson Arifaj (Anton) of Newport, and William Henderson (Nicole) of Raleigh. Coretta was the step-grandmother of Alex Quidley of South Mills and Grayson Hill (Jessica) of DC. She was called Nana by all the grandchildren and was also blessed with three great‑grandchildren who brought her great joy, Georgia Mac Linderman, Francie Linderman, and Charles Linderman of Morehead. Coretta is also survived by her sister, Evelyn Guthrie Frost, and sister-in-law, Lettie Willis Guthrie, both of Salter Path and brothers-in-law, Buddy Avery of Newport, Samuel Avery of Morehead, and Mark Avery (Elvie) of the Philippines. She loved her extended family (especially her nieces and nephews) and her special West Virginia “Randolph Family” who all cherished her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernie and Georgia Guthrie; her sisters, Vera “Beanie” Guthrie Melby and Bertha Guthrie; and her brother, Bernie Sharon Guthrie.

The family expresses its deep appreciation to the Caseworkers and Nurses of CAP, the Caregivers and Staff from United Home Health and Access Community Services, and the Nurses, Social Worker, and Chaplain from Carteret Home Health and Hospice for their kindness, helpfulness, and love and support of Coretta and her family. Rhonda Lamb and Tricia Yarborough became a part of our family over the years. They were blessings to us.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Core Sound Waterfowl Museum, P.O. Box 556, Harkers Island, NC 28531or Salter Path Methodist Church, 1200 Salter Path Rd., Atlantic Beach, NC 28512.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.