Audrey M. Becker

One hot July day in 1931, near Bennett, Colorado, Earl and Viola Young welcomed their first daughter, Audrey Mae, to their home Audrey’s three older brothers didn’t quite know what to think of their new little sister. Later, her children and grandchildren were fascinated by the fact that Audrey was born at home. Obtaining a birth certificate was a lifelong challenge.

School days found Audrey and her siblings walking a mile to attend their one-room schoolhouse. Never a breakfast-lover, sometimes it took Audrey the whole mile to eat the toast her mother sent with her.

Audrey’s love of music began early. Her grandmother’s piano occupied a place of honor in their home. With the promise that the beautiful instrument could be hers if she learned to play it, Audrey practiced faithfully. Her playing skills served her well for many years in children’s Sabbath Schools, prayer meetings and church services. At Melody’s graduation from 8th grade, Audrey was honored and nervous when she accompanied Melody’s violin solo. That piano now graces the home of Audrey’s grandson – the 5th generation to play and love it.

Introduced to Alvin “Bud” Becker by her older brothers, Audrey and Bud soon discovered that they were meant for one another. When Audrey attended Campion Academy, Bud said that weekly trips to Campion were necessary to make sure she was not seeing anyone else! Of course it didn’t hurt that he drove up in his new Pontiac! Bud’s companion on these trips was often Harold Loomis, who was going to see Audrey’s roommate and lifelong friend, Freda. Bud & Audrey and Harold & Freda have remained close friends all through the years.

When Bud and Audrey decided to get married before she graduated from academy, she knew she wouldn’t officially graduate. Finishing something you started was important to Audrey, so she completed her academy coursework by correspondence. She feared being asked to withdraw from school if her plans became known, so she did not ask a faculty member to administer the exams and therefore never officially graduated. At 17, she convinced her parents to give permission for her to marry and on October 11, 1948, Audrey and Bud became husband and wife. Theirs was a union of true partnership and devotion to each other. We’re sure that one of their first questions for Jesus at the resurrection will be where to find each other.

Settling down in a tiny house on the farm property, Bud and Audrey worked hard to make the farm a success. A favorite family story is of the kitchen cabinets falling off the wall during a pastor’s visit. Audrey was horrified, so Bud put bolts through the back of the cabinets and clear through the wall to hold them in place!

When the family farm was sold, Bud took a job at a manufacturing plant for a short time and then began a life-long career in cement construction.

Meantime, their family was growing. The joy of new birth turned to sorrow when, in 1951, Terry died at birth. Hope sprang again when Mark Sheldon joined the family in 1953 and Kelly Paul in 1955. Sadness came again when Kelly died at 16 days old. These two tragedies were major factors in shaping the rest of the family’s life. After a few years, Stacey Scott joined the family in 1961 and mom’s longed-for daughter, Melody Suzanne, in 1965.

Life was never dull. Besides taking care of her children and keeping the household running smoothly, Audrey helped Bud with record-keeping tasks for his construction business. Their family’s schedule centered around church activities. If something was happening at church, off the family went. Mark remembers that if the children were well behaved during Prayer Meeting, they were rewarded with a stop at 7-eleven on the way home. Slurpees and Creamsicles were the family favorites. As the saying goes, “If the lights were on at Denver Central, then Denver 1st, Bud & Audrey were there.”

Once Denver Central moved to the suburbs and became Denver 1st Church, Audrey began serving as the church’s custodian, a job she continued until her retirement in 1998. Over the years, her interest and skills in secretarial and bookkeeping work grew until she added the job of Church Treasurer to her duties. Many weekend evenings were spent counting offerings, Ingathering collections and Investment Funds. Sabbath mornings found Audrey in the children’s divisions. For many years, she prepared materials and programs for the Cradle Roll department. Her supply of beautiful felts for story illustrations took up many drawers in her home. There will likely be hundreds of people in heaven who will trace their early knowledge of Bible stories at least in part to her Sabbath School programs.

Grandchildren arrived to bring spice to her life. She often said that the only good thing about turning 50 years old was getting to be a Grandma when Corey Matthew Becker was born in 1981. Christopher Michael Becker joined him in 1983 and Grandma spent hours reading and playing games with them. Friday nights were very special times when Grandma let Corey and Christopher “help” her prepare for Sabbath School. Over the next few years, Grandma welcomed Staci Starr Becker, Tyler Becker and Jazmine Becker, celebrating with them on birthdays and Christmas. Then, Morgan Aubrey Huffman and Madison Ann Huffman came along in 1994 and 1997 to complete the list of grandchildren.

In 1998, Bud and Audrey chose to retire in Ardmore, Oklahoma, since it was located within easy driving distance of Melody’s family and had a friendly, active church. Never one to be still for too long, Audrey soon found work in a health food store owned by a church member. They enjoyed the milder climate and the chance to lead a more relaxed life. With Morgan and Madison so close, frequent visits led to tractor rides, dress-up sessions and hours of playing games.

When Christopher married Susan Lynn Davis in 2006, she was welcomed with open arms. By 2014, she wasn’t entirely sure of everything going on around her, but when she was told that she was to become a Great-Grandma, she emphatically said, “I don’t think so!” We know she will enjoy getting to know Logan Michael Becker in heaven someday.

In 2008, Bud and Audrey moved to Apopka, Florida, to live closer to family. We don’t think it is a coincidence that God had led Mark & Becky and Melody & David to purchase homes within a few blocks of each other. Life in Florida was slower, but filled with lots of time with family.

After Bud passed away in January 2011, Audrey’s Alzheimer’s progressed steadily. In the spring of 2012, she moved into a nearby assisted living facility. On Monday, November 30th, surrounded by her family, Audrey went to sleep in Jesus.

Audrey Mae Young Becker is survived by a son, Mark (Becky) Becker of Apopka, FL; a son, Stacy Scott Becker of Denver, CO; a daughter, Melody (David) Huffman of Lake Mary, FL; Grandchildren, Corey Becker of Denver, CO; Christopher (Susan) Becker of Apopka, FL; Stacy Starr Becker, Tyler Becker and Jazmine Becker of Denver, CO; Morgan Huffman and Madison Huffman of Lake Mary, FL; Great Grandchildren, Michael Becker of Denver, CO; and Logan Michael Becker of Apopka, FL. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Becker, and two sons, Terry and Kelly Paul Becker. She is also survived by two brothers, Alvin (Betty) Young of Bennet, CO and Arnold (Betty) Young of North Little Rock, AR; and one sister, Betty Harney, of Denver, CO. Her parents, Earl and Viola Young, and two brothers, Don Young and Vern Young, preceded her in death. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and friends.

Even so, Lord Jesus, quickly come.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 pm, Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary. Visitation will be held one hour prior, from 1:30-2:30 at the funeral home. Burial will be held in Chapel Hill Cemetery.