Richard Averette, 81, owned plastics company
March 3, 2022
Samuel Richard Averette of Wachesaw Plantation, former owner of a plastics company, died Feb. 26 at his home. He was 81.
Known as Richard, he was born March 15, 1940, in Granville County, N.C., the son of Fred Currin Averette and Rosa Dickerson Averette. He met his wife Linda at Louisburg College where he played baseball and basketball. He later graduated from North Carolina State University in 1967.
Mr. Averette was a pioneer in the plastics industry and the process of injection molding. He spent five years at Burlington Industries, then Styrex Industries of High Point, N.C., where he helped grow the company. In 1985, he bought Precision Southeast Inc., and he and his wife headed to the coast. He served as owner and president of the company until retiring in 2011. He was remembered by colleagues and employees as a generous leader who was eager to share his time and talents, and always wanted to see others succeed.
During his career, he served twice as chairman of the Virginia/Carolina section of Society of Plastics Engineers, helping to raise more than $300,000 for scholarships. For a decade, he chaired the eastern division of Society of Plastics Industries, during which time he helped the organization install an interactive plastics exhibit at Disney World’s Epcot. He also helped raise funds for scientific kits to aid STEM teachers in Horry County schools.
In the early 1990s, Mr. and Mrs. Averette began traveling with the ABCD (American British Canadian Dutch) golf group, where they met some of their dearest friends traveling through Europe and playing golf.
Mr. Averette had a love for the game and played often at Wachesaw Plantation Club, where he served on the board and was past POA president. He believed that you could tell the essence of a person by playing a round of golf with them.
He enjoyed many years at their mountain home, visiting and golfing at Olde Beau Golf Club in Roaring Gap, N.C., and at their cottage in Holden Beach, N.C.
In addition to his wife, Linda Sessions Averette, he is survived by his children, Karen Averette Noble (Jim) of Charlotte and Samuel Richard Averette Jr. (Jennifer) of Murrells Inlet; his grandchildren, Margaux Noble Mustian (Will) of Birmingham, Ala., Olivia Noble and James Noble, and Sam, Bo and Wade Averette; and his great-grandchildren, Sawyer and Amelia Mustian
His brothers, George and Gilbert Averette, died before him.
A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to All 4 Paws Animal Rescue, 708 Petigru Dr., Pawleys Island, SC 29585 (all4pawssc.org).
Condolences may be sent at burroughsfh.com.
