Audrey Mae (Rutherford) Wilkins

Reflections of Audrey

On Saturday, March 1, 1947, Annie Woodard and Charlie Rutherford announced the birth of their baby girl, Audrey Mae.  Growing up, Audrey was a studious child.  While her siblings were outside playing Audrey could be found sitting quietly for hours reading a good book.  She was an honor roll student who was listed on the National Honor Society. Yes, she was a walking encyclopedia full of knowledge. In school, not only was she strong academically, but she was also on the drill and basketball teams.  She graduated from A. G. Hillard High School in Bay City, Texas with honors.

Not long after graduation, Audrey married the love of her life, Thomas Roberson, Jr. and they start raising their family.  She was a working mom who cooked meals for others at work and came home and cooked a full meal including desserts for her family. She loved her family and caring for others.  She was one of those neighborhood moms who not only took care of her kids but it was commonplace to find nine to ten kids at her house, and yes… she would feed them well! 

She loved the Lord and didn’t mind sharing her faith.  When she was young, she attended Enterprise Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. A. H. Pointer.  Later in life she united with New Hope Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. T. L. Richardson. She believed in serving in ministry.  From working with children to learn their Easter speeches to serving on the usher board, or working the Ministry of Helps. She also was known for mailing cards with words of encouragement to others. Most people in her circle of friends in Bay City or someone in their family has received a card from her for either their birthday, during a time of bereavement, experiencing a bout with illness, or just a thinking of you card to brighten their day.  This, for her was one of the powerful ways she showed love and care for others.

For years, Audrey worked in retail and was the manager for several companies including Dillard’s, Del Taco, as well as Palais Royal.  She enjoyed working in retail and loved helping people get fitted for special events. Additionally, she worked for herself. From selling electricity to help people combat the high energy cost to selling them insurance, she was a true entrepreneur at heart. Audrey was also a master seamstress. She was so good as a seamstress that she would design and tailored her daughters’ prom dresses. When other students would see the dresses she made for her daughters they would seek her designer originals for themselves.

When she was not working, cooking, sewing, or helping others, you could find her with a crossword puzzle book in her hand. She was also a TV buff.  She appreciated a good episode with Fred, Lamont, and Esther in Sandford & Son; Victor and Mrs. Chancellor in The Young and The Restless; watching someone try to explain their way out of getting caught in an episode of Cheaters; or keeping up with local and national news stories.  Audrey enjoyed watching TV.  She would also read the newspaper EVERYDAY!  She looked forward to getting out of the house and attending football or basketball games. 

On Thursday, January 25, 2024, she gained her wings. There are many things that we will miss about her.  We will miss the long conversations.  We will miss enjoying the holidays with her. We will miss her eating and cooking Mexican foods; as well as her saying “Hey Darling, I know that’s right!”  Most of all we will miss the smile she kept on her face even through the many health challenges that she endured. It brings us comfort knowing that she loved us and God blessed us to know and love her.  We will hold on and live up to her legacy, her children:  Annette Williams of Duncanville, TX, Ralph Roberson,  Edwin Roberson, and Kirby Roberson of Bay City, TX; grandchildren, Chris (Asia) Coleman, Gregory Williams, and Jaden Allen; great grandchildren: Addison Coleman and   Cannon Coleman; siblings Veda Rutherford of Bay City, TX; god-children: Sean Clay and Robert Taylor along with a host of other family, friends, and loved ones.  In times like these we remember those who have gone before her including her husbands, Thomas Roberson, Jr. and Dwayne Wilkins; her daughter Claudette Allen, grandson, Lance Williams; her parents: Annie Woodard and Charlie Rutherford and her siblings, Shirley Caldwell, Willard Don Rutherford, and Eddie Glenn Rutherford.

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