I think about Mrs. Whitworth often  she's the best teacher I've ever had. She taught with her whole heart, with imagination and love, and with high expectations that she held us to and inspired us to achieve. And she was perceptive and gentle, was a support and guide at a moment in my life I really needed it. I'm so grateful to have known her.

If you're online up there, Mrs. Whitworth, I can't thank you enough...

Mrs. Whitworth changed the trajectory of my life. I've never stopped thinking about her. I was a bright kid but a troublemaker. Mrs. Whitworth never got angry with me. When I was sent out of recess or lunch for causing trouble, she simply pulled out a desk for me and talked with me. She expected the best of us and enabled our best in how she taught. She understood how to redirect my energy for good. She went above and beyond, joining us in after school activities, after all of the daily work she did in the classroom. She was transcendent in her impact. I still have the book of poetry she gave me in sixth grade. I was lucky to join her classroom in her last year at Belmar Elementary. She has changed the course of generations through her impact on innumerable individuals. Thank god for Audrey Whitworth.

Mrs. Whitworth  was instrumental in instilling and cultivating a love of learning in so many of us at Belmar Elementary.  There are so many things I learned from her -- which I remember vividly 37 years later -- but as a teacher myself, I marvel at her dedication and creativity in the classroom.  My deepest condolences to the family -- she was a blessing to many!

Condolences to her family-what a wonderful lady you were blessed with!  She taught my 5th and 6th grade classes at Belmar. I shake my head when my kids are typing with their index fingers, thinking about what a shame it is that they didn't learn the keyboarding skills that I did!  Mrs. Whitworth was always dressed for success in her business suits and skirts. I will never forget her voice and the "calming magic carpet ride" she would take us on before important tests. I really think I learned more in her class (Latin, diagramming sentences, video production) than any other that I have taken. That is the one class that I was never bored in. She knew how to engage all of us. She expected the best out of her students and had so much pride in them and in her teaching. I will never forget her.

My formal education spanned 25 years, from kindergarten through a post-residency fellowship.  I had many good teachers during that time, but Mrs. Whitworth was one of the very best of those.  I had her for 50% of every class day for 2 years in 5th and 6th grades.  I can still hear her voice: "The subject of an infinitive is in the accusative case!"  She was tough but fair.  I wish I had told her what a difference she made in my life.  My sincerest condolences to her family.  Thank you for sharing her with us.

My two girls had Mrs. Whitworth as their teacher. The skills learned in her classes far exceeded their grade level.  I had the privilege of being a co-worker with her. What a teacher!

William Henry

I will never forget Mrs. Whitworth.  She gave me a love of reading that I now share with my students!  She was a very special lady.

Mrs. Whit worth was one of my all time favorite teachers. I still remember her class and the way she helped us learn while having fun. I will always remember signing "contracts" every week at Belmar.  She was a wonderful teacher and more importantly a wonderful lady.

Mrs. Whitworth was without a doubt my favorite teacher ever.  I was in her sixth grade class in 1973.  She challenged us, goaded us, and pushed us, but always in way that made us love her.  I remember when she read "The Bells" by Edgar Allen Poe to us and I was instantly mesmerized.  I learned more from her than I did any other teacher.  The lasting impact she had on so many lives is immeasurable.  She was an incredible teacher and person.  She will be sorely missed.

We extend our sincere sympathy for the passing of Audrey. What a wonderful, kind lady! She and Ray were friend's of my mother & father in law, Lorey & Ray Poindexter. Lots of years of golf, bridge, & friendship. Trent(my husband) & I knew Audrey & Ray too. Audrey remained friends with Lorey, until Lorey passed last April. We were always grateful for the care, concern, & friendship she had with Lorey for so long, & I KNOW Lorey loved & respected Audrey a great deal. She was a fine friend, & educator, & will be missed by so many lives she touched. Fondly - Lee & Trent Poindexter

As children, there are many people who shape and mold us into the adults we ultimately become. Outside of family, there are a golden few who leave an indelible mark on our hearts and minds.  For me, Mrs. Whitworth was one of those precious few, and to her I give credit for teaching me to commit, to persevere, to be involved and informed.  Yes, she taught me how to graph a sentence, I can still hear "a-s-d-f-space-j-k-l-sim-space", and (if you were her student you'll know this one) I even stretch out my arms and bow three times when my children think I've erred in some way.  But more than that, she showed me how to work hard for what I wanted, and never hesitated to give praise when I got it right.  She taught me how to believe in myself.  She gave me so many life skills, far beyond the boundries of a textbook.  I was honored to be her student for two years in the late 1970s.  She taught her lessons well....I still remember and use them all every day.  Thank you, Mrs. Whitworth, and thank you, Lord, for letting us borrow her for a little while.

If ever a women was born to be a teacher, it was Mrs. Whitworth.  I was in her very first fifth grade class at Belmar in 1973 (she had previously only taught sixth grade).  I will never forget that first day with her (I was scared to death!), or any other day with her for that matter.  She leaves this world having made a huge difference in it.  Fortunately, I phoned her out of the blue in 1997 to tell her how much she meant to me, and to tell her I was coming to Amarillo from Austin to take her out to dinner.  That trip was the first of four that I made for that reason, and we continued to speak on the phone several times a year.  Our last conversation was just a couple of months ago.  Even though I am now in my fifties, I have never referred to her by her first name (nor will I ever).  She is and always will be Mrs. Whitworth, my teacher!  

P.S. - I hope my grammar and punctuation for this entry are satisfactory.  I want my final paper for her to make her proud!

Mrs. Whitworth was one of the most influential people in my life. She taught us proper grammar, critical thinking, and a love of good storytelling. I do think of her often and with great fondness even though I last had her in class in 1980. She will be missed.

I think of Mrs. Whitworth all of the time, for all of the things she instilled in us and the way she opened our eyes to the world around us.  I can still hear her voice reading to us, it was my favorite part of the day.  I only wish I would have shared this with her before today.  She was a great teachers and impacted my life in a profound way.

Mrs. Whitworth was the best teacher under which I have ever had the privilege of studying.
I learned lifelong skills such as proper debate, typing, critical thinking and reading  from this amazing and inspirational woman. In fact, I was thinking of her just two days ago, as she often comes up in my memories. I remember some of the wonderful things that she said to her students and I now say some of them to my own students!
Heaven is lucky to have her, and she will be deeply missed here on Earth. She once convinced myself and my brother that we should ask for Smith Corona typewriters for our birthdays instead of other more frivolous toys. She was right to have given us that advice. Cheers to Audrey and all of those who had the opportunity to learn from this wise woman!

OBITUARY

Audrey June Whitworth

14 June, 1930 – 20 February, 2015

Memorial Park Cemetery

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