Audrey Joyce Autry
Born in:
Burlington, Wisconsin
Resided in:
Centerville, Virginia
Audrey Autry, 91, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on June 24, 2025. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was also the longest serving member at Messiah Methodist Church in Springfield, VA.
Mrs. Autry was born in Burlington, Wisconsin, and came to the Northern Virginia area with her first husband in the 1950’s. She had her share of personal tragedies, including the death of her father at age 13 and the death of her first child, Kevin, when he was just 7 months old. But she persevered and went on to have 2 more children and a 33 year marriage to her first husband, Lynn Whyte. She was mostly a dedicated mother, but also worked periodically as a church secretary. After the end of her first marriage, she found happiness again with her second husband, Menlo Autry. They were married for 13 years until his death in 2002.
Mrs. Autry loved her family and her church with all her heart. She is survived by her children, Kendall Whyte and Kathleen Chu; her stepchildren, Robin Steele and Trevor Autry; her grandchildren, Joshua, Michelle and Brandon Chu; and 5 great grandchildren, Eric, Valerie and Kyler Chu and Marley and Willow Fisher.
Funeral services will be held at Messiah United Methodist Church in Springfield, VA, on July 19th. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00am. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 with burial following a short reception at National Memorial Park at 2:00. Her wishes are that her funeral be a celebration of life and requests that attendees not wear black, but something colorful. She will be missed dearly by all those who knew her.
Flower deliveries can be made directly to the Messiah United Methodist Church the morning of Saturday, July 19th.
Services
Visitation: July 19, 2025 9:00 am
Messiah United Methodist Church
6215 Rolling Rd
West Springfield, VA 22152
(703) 569-9862
https://www.messiahumc.org/
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2025-07-19 09:00:00
2025-07-19 09:00:00
AudreyJoyceAutryVisitation
Visitation
6215 Rolling Rd,West Springfield, VA 22152
Funeral Service: July 19, 2025 11:00 am
Messiah United Methodist Church
6215 Rolling Rd
West Springfield, VA 22152
(703) 569-9862
https://www.messiahumc.org/
Add to My Calendar
America/New_York
2025-07-19 11:00:00
2025-07-19 11:00:00
AudreyJoyceAutryFuneral Service
Funeral Service
6215 Rolling Rd,West Springfield, VA 22152
Reception: July 19, 2025 12:00 pm
Messiah United Methodist Church
6215 Rolling Rd
West Springfield, VA 22152
(703) 569-9862
https://www.messiahumc.org/
Add to My Calendar
America/New_York
2025-07-19 12:00:00
2025-07-19 12:00:00
AudreyJoyceAutryReception
Reception
6215 Rolling Rd,West Springfield, VA 22152
Committal Service: July 19, 2025 2:00 pm
National Memorial Park Cemetery
7482 Lee Highway
Falls Church, VA 22042
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America/New_York
2025-07-19 14:00:00
2025-07-19 14:00:00
AudreyJoyceAutryCommittal Service
Committal Service
7482 Lee Highway,Falls Church, VA 22042
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It’s me, Joshua. Thank you for just being you. You were so caring the whole time. We miss you. Here are some of the things I miss (in random order):
– Raspberry angel ring. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to replicate it.
– The belly laughs I used to do when you cursed during board games. (you never used any actual swear words, but things like “Dag Nabbit”)
– Yahtzee, Monopoly, Trouble, Uno, The Game of Life
– Your Easter celebrations. I mean, who does that anymore? But you made it special.
– Christmas stockings filled with nuts and oranges. But of course really cool gifts.
– Cooking for you. One of my favourite things to do.
– Coming to see me in Hong Kong every year until you couldn’t physically do it anymore.
– You Tucker and Valerie together.
– Your room at Hotel LKF. You always booked the big room so Valerie could run around.
– The silk pillow cases.
– Spending summers at your house.
– Watching old school game shows with you.
This is just the tip of the iceberg of memories I have with you. I love you so so much. I’ll see you in a bit, Beamma.
it’s Valerie , Thank you for teaching me the values of life at a young age , you’ve taught me patience just by being you , you’ve taught me to accept myself for who i am , you’ve even taught me how to write cursive! When i hear that you would be coming to hong kong to visit , i would be so excited my eyes could pop out , using all my energy to mess up your perfectly made hotel bed . i will forever be reminiscing our times together , you have a very special place in my heart , I love you Beamma .
I learned so much about her life and her heart during those meals. She was also genuinely curious about Hong Kong – our customs, daily life, and stories. She listened intently, making me feel my experiences mattered to her. This mutual sharing created a real connection across cultures. | will never forget her quiet toughness. Those leg operations were significant, yet she faced them head-on, without self-pity. Her determination to recover and keep enjoying life, especially family moments, was truly inspiring. Her fundamental kindness was her defining trait. She had a way of making people feel comfortable. Hong Kong feels a little dimmer without her presence. We will miss Beamma greatly, but I am so grateful for the friendship we shared and the lasting impression of her beautiful spirit.