Barbara (Allen) Autry

Barbara Allen Autry, 76, of Blackshear, transitioned this life at the hospice unit at Wayne Memorial Hospital on Monday, March 13, 2023, from complications from Parkinson’s disease.  She is now at peace with her Savior.

Born in Conecuh County, Alabama, Barbara was the daughter of the late Walter Clayburn Allen and Connie Reeves Allen.  She graduated from Repton High School in 1964.  She went on to earn a BS degree in Education from Auburn University.  She later received her Masters degree in Early Childhood Education at Valdosta State University.  She taught in Irwin, Tift, and Pierce Counties.  Barbara would go on to retire from the Pierce County Board of Education following 22 years of providing education to the children in Pierce County in kindergarten and prek. 

Following retirement Barbara contracted with Babies Can’t Wait providing services to special needs infants.  She would later become the Director of Early Childhood Education at Okefenokee Technical College (now Coastal Pines).

She continued her love for education of young children outside the classroom.  Barbara was President of Okefenokee Association on Young Children (OAYC) and was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa and Delta Kappa Gamma professional sororities for educators.  She also served on the board for the Magnolia House.

Barbara was a member of the Blackshear First United Methodist Church but had also taught Sunday School at other churches in the area over the years.

She was also preceded in death by her sister, Mary Lou Whitfield; and her brother, Rufus Allen.

Survivors include her husband of 46 years who was also the love of her life and best friend, Stephen Autry of Blackshear; two daughters and sons-in-law, Leah & Derek Smith of Waycross and Connie & John Townsend, Jr. of Niceville, FL; a sister-in-law, Lisa Autry of Milledgeville; 6 grandchildren, Maddie Reese Smith, Grant Smith, Noah Townsend, Lizzie Smith, Olivia Townsend, and Katie Smith; 4 nieces including her more than special niece and best friend, Dora (Earl) Lawson of Blackshear, Gail Whitfield of Boaz, AL, Rebecca Ann Autry of Gray, GA, and Terri Stabler of Alabama; her nephew, Adam Autry of Marietta; her special great nephew, Michael Blanton of Tifton; and several other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Autry will be held Thursday morning, March 16, 2023, at 11:00 o’clock from the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Mary Ann Braswell and Rev. Robert Wood officiating.

Interment will be in the Blackshear City Cemetery.

Visitation for Mrs. Autry will be held Wednesday evening from 6 until 8 at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Crossroads Christian Academy Building Fund, 2193 Golf Course Road, Blackshear, GA 31516 or to Rocky Bayou Christian School, 2101 Partin Drive N., Niceville, FL  32578.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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