Audrey Gulley

Audrey Gulley, 87, of Jonesboro passed away Monday, March 13, 2017 peacefully in her home. She was born April 22, 1929 in Jonesboro to the late Dell and Winnie Patterson. She was a whopping 4 pounds, to which the house call doctor asked her father, “is that all you could do, Dell?” She may have been tiny in size, but her love and laughter was larger than life.

In her younger years, she was the queen of killin’ hogs, jumping board, and helping to take care of her many siblings, both financially and physically. From the beginning she was a happy helper and gave unselfishly time and time again. Audrey married Spencer Carter Sr. and had two boys Spencer Jr. and Darrell, then was widowed when her youngest was 3. She did the best she could to raise two boys, and worked fulltime at Frolic Shoe Factory while playing both the father and mother roles.

Her last days were spent telling stories and jokes, watching Alaskan Bush People (to which she called them her “Bush Bunch”), and gazing at the birds outside the window. She spoke of these birds like she knew them personally. But her favorite above all else was her two boys, grandbabies, and great grandbabies. They were the apple of her eye, and you could tell by the gleam she had on her face when she spoke of each of them.

I had the honor of having her in our home for several months before her passing, and every night before she went to bed I could hear her through the walls praying out loud for each and every loved one she had. Not one night passed that she didn’t mention every single one of them. “Nana” was such a light to everyone who knew her and she will be missed dearly.

Survivors include her son, Darrell Carter; sister, Billie Gean Tankersley; 6 grandchildren: Ashley Tallant, Jessica Ramon, Jennifer Carter, Dusty Carter, Kristie Carter, Anna Carter and 10 great grandchildren: Chandler Andrews, Kylie Andrews, Vada Tallant, Margo Tallant, Gabriel Ramon, Lena Carter, Christopher Carter, Elijah Carter, and Emberlynn Carter.

A private graveside service will be held, birds of all shapes and colors are welcome.