Ava Lena Mize, 76, of New Smyrna Beach, FL passed away on September 8, 2015 at her residence. Ava was born on May 25, 1939 in Mingo County, West Virginia to the late Arthur and Fannie (Kennedy) Blankenship. She worked as a Beautician, and after the passing of her mother she worked for Buckeye Union Insurance in Columbus, OH. Ava moved to this area in 2011, coming from Franklin, North Carolina. She is survived by her loving husband, James R. Mize of New Smyrna Beach; her son, Larry Gessel and his wife Susan of London, OH; her step-daughter, Yvonne Gail Mize of Andrews, NC; and her 2 grandsons, Nathan and Alex Gessel. A memorial service will be held at the New Smyrna Beach Church of Christ at 4PM on Friday, September 11, 2015. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ava Mize can be made to the New Smyrna Beach Church of Christ Building Fund, P. O. Box 787, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170, or the Florida Hospital HospiceCare, 770 W. Granada Blvd., Suite 304, Ormond Beach, FL 32174.