Avis Robards Melear, 95, Newnan, died July 6, 2008. She was born Sept. 14, 1912 in Coweta County. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jefferson and Missouri Brown Robards, and her husband, M. Lester Melear. They owned and operated Melear's Restaurant in Newnan for 58 years until retiring in Dec. 2001. Each morning she began cooking biscuits at 4 a.m. and opened the restaurant at 5 a.m. She remained there all day until closing at 9 pm. While she cooked the biscuits, her husband cooked the barbeque.

Services were at the McKoon Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Jerry Eley officiating. Interment was at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Newnan. Survivors include a daughter, Marie Kelley, Newnan; grandchildren, Elliott Kelley Jr., Susan Brantley, and Steven Kelley, all of Newnan, and Emily Lancaster, Ringgold; and eight great-grandchildren.

McKoon Funeral Home, Newnan, was in charge.