Audrey W. Carr

“You’re all I have waited for these 29 years and I am glad I waited.” Words written to Audrey Wiley Carr by her husband, Joe Allen Carr Sr, the day after their wedding. They spent 37 years together and on August 5, 2024, after 37 years apart, they are together again. Audrey passed peacefully in the home of her daughter with the blessings and love of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Her family grieves in peace knowing that her soul and spirit live on. Relieved of the mantle of matriarch, the weight of age and illness, she becomes a child again in the arms of the Lord. Her steps are easy through the gates into the embrace of her parents, of eight older siblings, and of her husband, all gone home before her. She will be missed on Earth as much as she has been long awaited in Heaven.

Audrey was born November 17, 1926, in Stockdale, Texas to Garvin and Elnora Wiley. The younger sister to Charlie, Annie Bell, Louise, Lawrence Denver, Birdie Lea, Earl, Gene and Jim David. Her father, fond of nicknames for his children, called her Snooks and chased away many of Audrey’s would-be suitors in her youth.

She married Joe Allen Carr Sr on June 25, 1950, at Highland Park Baptist Church. Audrey worked for Mr. Howard Edward Butt at stores 2 & 5 until her eldest son, Joe Allen Jr, asked her to quit because he didn’t like his babysitter. She became a steadfast stay-at-home mother until the death of her husband July 10, 1987. From then she worked at a sandwich shop and was fondly known as ‘the bread lady’.

Her passion for volunteering was formed in the days spent at the side of her sister, Birdie Lea, until her passing. A loyal sister would become a loyal volunteer of equal measure. She gave the same love and care to everyone around her as a Bluebird at the Methodist Hospital. Her love for her country was shown in many years of service at the election polls in her zip code. In all her good work shone the light of the Lord. Audrey believed ‘God can use any old bush that is willing to be used’.

Audrey’s family will remember her as a kind, proud and moral woman with a resolute love for her family, God, and sweets. The dessert table was full every holiday, Oreos and Ritz Peanut Butter Crackers dipped in chocolate and a bowl of Bobbie Cereal. A thrice baked ham and her signature stuffing on the main table. Ice cream was a beloved end to a meal, just like a cup of coffee with the morning newspaper. Audrey loved to read, especially the bible, of which she’d read from all twelve of her copies of the King James Bible. She also loved to watch golf, an interest shared by her sons and grandsons.

Audrey’s grandchildren will remember matching outfits with their cousins every Christmas as children. Tables pushed together from the kitchen to the living room door every year and dolls with hair to match the granddaughters waiting at their seats. Every year, Audrey would pick one from her growing family to read the nativity story from her bible. Only after could gifts be opened as she watched over three generations with a smile from her favorite chair. A house full of memories, with pictures of the many branches of her family in every room. A rightfully proud and beautiful woman, her children and grandchildren all have received a framed portrait of Audrey at least once as a Christmas gift.

Audrey is survived by her three children: Mary Onion, Joe Allen Carr Jr, and David Carr along with their spouses Jimmy Onion, Suzy Carr, and Ann Carr. Audrey was blessed to have ten grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren in her lifetime. Of those, she was able to see six grandchildren and one great grandchild happily married, with blessings to two other grandchildren engaged before her passing.

Visitation will be held Sunday August 11 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in San Antonio from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Graveside service will be held at 10:00 am Monday August 12 at Sunset Memorial. Audrey will be attended by pallbearers Billy and Bobby Onion, David Carr Jr, Samuel Carr, Austin Carr, Matt MacCrindle, Chris Langford, Daniel Klein and Michael Robles.

Goodbye Snooks. Goodbye Bluebird and Bread Lady. Goodbye Mom, Grandma and GG. Goodbye Audrey.

You are loved. You are missed. You are home in Heaven and our hearts.