She was born to Merrill and Ida May (Norcross) Baskins on Feb. 18, 1917, in Watonga, OK. and died Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in Enid. Avenell grew up in Watonga and graduated from Watonga High School in 1935. Afterwards, she moved to Enid where she attended beauty college.

In 1941, she married Julius Harrison and moved to Arizona. They returned to Enid in 1945 and had one son, Jerry. She later married Jack Simard in 1949 and had another son, Ronald.

After Jack passed away in 1956, she became focused on raising her boys and worked hard to provide a good life for them. She worked at LaMode Beauty Shop until it closed. She then became an instructor at Enid Beauty College, where she worked until she retired in 1982. After she retired, she enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening and took pride in being able to mow her own yard until she was well into her 80's. She was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church.

She is survived by her children, Jerry Harrison and Ronald Simard and wife, Marvella, all of Enid; brother, Dean Baskins and wife Angie of Monroe, N.C.; four grandchildren, Tiffany Harrison and husband Geary of Enid, Shauna Lynn Winslow and husband Sherman of Wellington, New Zealand, Tracie Simard of Yukon, Okla., and Kylene Eisenhauer and husband Rick of Enid.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister.