David Shelby Van Every
July 30, 1953 — June 12, 2018
DAVID SHELBY VAN EVERY, SR.
David Shelby Van Every Sr. age 64 departed this life, Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus. Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 12:30 PM at Friendship Cemetery with Pastor Marcus Van Every officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday June 16, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. til 12:00 noon at Memorial Gunter Peel 716 2 nd Ave N.
Mr. Van Every was born on Thursday, July 30, 1953 in Hattiesburg, MS to the late Henry Kelsey and Lois Ruth Scarborough Van Every, Jr.
David was a lifelong resident of Columbus. He was able to live out one of his dreams in 1981, when he began to practice law. David continued his father’s practice into its seventh decade of service to the people of Columbus and the surrounding area, and also to client’s from every corner of the country.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Joanne Van Every, and his father-in-law, Joseph Louis Fava.
Survivors include:
Wife:
Betty Jean Van Every, Columbus, MS
Sons:
David Shelby Van Every, Jr., Columbus, MS
Joseph Henry Van Every, Columbus, MS
Brothers
Henry Kelsey Van Every, III, Starkville, MS
Eugene Applewhite Van Every (Paula), Brandon, MS
Mother-in-law:
Rosa M. Fava, Shelby, MS
Sisters-in-law:
Donna Koerth (David), Lewisville, TX
Mary Jo Zummo (Natale), Brandon, MS
Serving as Pallbearers will be:
Jason Kelsey Van Every, Jonathan Eugene Van Every, Kelsey Simmons Van Every, Easton Walker Van Every, Ronnie Vance Van Every, Liam Bladen Hale, and Charles Houston Lee.
Honorary Pallbearers include Steve McEwen, Charlie Pilkinton, Hoot Garriga, Roger Murray, Hal McClanahan, Chuck Snapka, Bennie Jones, and the Lowndes County Bar Association.
David lived his life with his heart full of love. He was the youngest of his parent’s three sons and always delighted his family with joy and laughter. David adored his parent’s and brothers. They instilled unto him a deep devotion to family and friends, a thirst for knowledge, a love of language, and a fierce competitive spirit. From an early age, David was never without something to read and was a spelling bee champion in elementary school.
On May 22, 1977, David began to live the realization of a series of dreams, when he married Betty Jean Fava, in Shelby, Mississippi. He loved Betty with all of his heart and cherished the privilege of sharing his devotion, joy and humor with Betty’s family.
Many more dreams would come true for David and Betty through their most precious treasures – their sons. David taught his sons to love learning and to never quit anything. David loved coaching his sons and often coached separate teams simultaneously from one season to the next. David and his sons were later blessed with the opportunity to work together at his law office and on the road in the oilfields of South Mississippi.
David will be remembered by many for his wit and his will to help whenever he was called.
Uncle David will be mourned by many nieces and nephews. Countless clients and colleagues will be without Lawyer Van. Sam and his pack have lost their two-legged leader.
Although David has left us here on Earth, his spirit will always live in our hearts, our memories and our dreams.
Memorials may be made to:
Columbus Lowndes Humane Society
P.O. Box 85
Columbus, MS 39703
or the
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