Avanell Trentham Best
September 11, 1935 – March 12, 2026
Funeral services for Avanell Trentham Best, 90, of Cairo, GA, are at First Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 12:30 p.m., Central Time, with visitation starting at 12:00. Interment will be in Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, FL, at 2:00 PM Central Time. Mrs. Best passed away peacefully at home in Cairo, GA, on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Avanell Best was born on September 11, 1935, in Rhea County, Tennessee. She was the first of 6 children born to the late Edabee and Mildred Burdett Trentham.
Avanell learned to sing and read shaped note music from her parents at age 2. She grew up singing in school and church choirs and performing gospel music with her family. She lettered in basketball in high school, was the FFA Beauty Queen, and soon met her husband, Harold “Buzz” Best of Dayton, TN when he returned home after serving in the US Navy. They enjoyed 71 years of marriage before Buzz passed in November 2024.
Avanell worked at Southern Bell while Buzz attended Tennessee Tech. They moved to Birmingham, AL for 5 years, where their two children were born. With Buzz’s urging, she became a very involved stay-at-home Mother. The family moved with Buzz’s career to Huntsville, AL for 11 years, to Las Cruces, NM for 3 years, and back to the south to Albany, GA for 19 years. Avanell and Buzz moved to Pensacola, FL to complete his career and to begin their retirement years. Over those 27 years they became very involved with their church and community, as well as enjoying lots of time with their children, grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren. Their final home was in Cairo, GA, with their son, Ron and his wife, Jana.
Avanell wore many hats such as children’s choir director, an active member of several church choirs, women’s church groups including WMU, and many social bunco, bridge and garden clubs. In New Mexico, she established a children’s choir program at their church. She was also a part time beauty advisor, selling skincare and cosmetics. Avanell enjoyed sewing, traveling, cooking and entertaining at her home, crafting, reading, listening to Bill Gaither gospel music, and Bluegrass and Country music. Her friends have described her as a genuine friend who brought laughter and fun wherever she went, always planning memorable gatherings.
Most of all, Avanell was a loving and encouraging mother and grandmother. She tended to all the details of her children’s lives, making sure they experienced as much as possible under her watch — music, sports, dance, friendships, visits with family, and most importantly spiritual growth as Christians. She was happiest when her children and grandchildren were near. She especially loved cooking or baking everybody’s favorite foods and trying out new recipes.
Survivors include children, Bethany Barfield (Greg) of Gulf Breeze, FL and Ron Best (Jana) of Cairo, GA; grandchildren, Jayson Best (Alison) of Dallas, GA, Elizabeth Zuber (Chris) of Pensacola, FL and Sarah Odum (Blake) of Thomasville, GA; great-grandchildren, Lillian Best, Joyner Best, Noah Odum, Forrest Zuber and William Zuber; brother Troy Trentham of Marietta, GA; sister-in-law, Ann Trentham of Huntsville, AL; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other extended family.
The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to all the staff and caregivers at Abide Homecare, Murry Home Healthcare, and Gentiva Hospice for all of the loving and devoted care they provided.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Women’s Ministry of First Baptist Church, Pensacola, 500 N Palafox St, Pensacola, FL 32501.
