Brent Avery West

Brent Avery West was born on August 22, 1963, in Cadiz, Ohio, to the late Clarence "Brazzie" West, Jr. and Virginia "Ginny" Wheeler Hython West. On the 21st day of May 2026, God called him home to be with the Lord.

Brent graduated from Cadiz High School in 1981. After graduation, he moved to Cambridge, Ohio, where he married Edwina West and welcomed twin sons. He later relocated to the Akron area, where he resided until moving to Columbus, Ohio, in 2014.

Growing up in Cadiz, under the guidance of his parents, Brent learned that being handicapped did not make him "disabled." They taught him to believe in his abilities, not his limitations. He learned to ride a bike as a young boy, graduated to a skateboard as a teen, and later drove a car as a young man.

Brent worked faithfully until he was no longer able to do so. He held various manual labor positions and also transported and assisted others who were handicapped. Brent enjoyed giving to and helping others. After moving to Columbus, he visited his mother daily at a local nursing home, where he again assisted others and never missed an opportunity to tell someone about his God.

Brent wasn't perfect. But he was forgiven. He was raised in the church, and his walk of faith began at St. James AME Church in Cadiz, Ohio. He later attended Harrison Hills UPC in Jewett, Ohio, with his parents, where he was baptized in Jesus' name. Though he faced challenges in his early adult life, he eventually joined First Apostolic Temple in Tallmadge, Ohio, where he rededicated his life to the Lord and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Upon moving to Columbus, he attended Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies before joining Grace Apostolic Church in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Each of these churches played a role in shaping his spiritual journey.

Brent loved the Word of God. He loved attending church services, receiving good teaching and preaching, and fellowshipping with the church family. He served as a Greeter and was a member of the Heart for the Harvest Team, spending many hours walking through neighborhoods praying, witnessing, and inviting others to church.

Brent attended church as long as he was physically able, receiving help from close friends when he could no longer get there on his own, and later returning to Higher Ground with his sister.

Brent loved his God, loved his church, and loved his family. He was proud of the changes he made after accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior. His heart's desire was that all of his family and friends would come to know Christ and experience a transformed life as he did.

Brent's life was not always easy. He faced difficult seasons and moments of weakness, but once he gave his life to God, he strived to make better choices and grew passionate in his faith for as long as his mind allowed.

Next to his love for God, Brent was an avid fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Brent made many friends while walking through the neighborhood-often for miles each day. When he could no longer walk, he rode his electric wheelchair for daily exercise. Like his father before him, Brent had a unique sense of humor and loved making others laugh, even if they didn't always understand his jokes.

Brent was a proud and independent man. When dementia and physical decline began to affect his life, it was difficult for him to accept that he could no longer do everything he once could. He faced these challenges with determination and leaned on God for strength and comfort. Through it all, although he may have occasionally doubted his own worth, Brent never doubted God's power. He believed God was still able to do the impossible.

Brent spent his final days comfortably at home under the care of God, his sister, his nephews, his caregiver, and Transitions Hospice.

He was preceded in death by both parents; two sisters,Pamela West-McFadden and Ginger West-Jones; and one brother, David Kendall West.

Brent is survived by twin sons, Bryant Avery and Brent Allen West, both of Tallmadge, Ohio. Additional family and friends who cherish his memory include his brother, Randall West of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; his three sisters, Rhonda West, Terri (Aubrey) Watts of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and sister/caregiver Tracey West of Columbus, Ohio; his brother-in-law, Charles Jones of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; his nephew and caregiver, Randall West; and his special friend and caregiver, LaWanta Williams. He also leaves behind various spiritual brothers and sisters, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.