Elizabeth Carol Dent Auten passed away peacefully at home on September 29, 2025. She was 84 years old. Carol was born on October 6, 1940, in Pine Mountain Valley, Georgia, to James L. and Nora Jones Dent and was a graduate of Auburn University. In 1963, Carol married Larry Auten, and together they started and built a successful business, Auten Poultry and Food Service in Columbus. Later, their son Greg would join them in the business.
She is survived by her son, Greg S. Auten (Lori); daughter, Lori Moshier (Terry); beloved grandchildren, James Moshier, Caitlin Moshier, and Christopher Moshier, all of Columbus; and Alston Auten of Atlanta. She is also survived by her brother, John Dent (Connie) of Buena Vista, Georgia; her sister-in-law, Linda Dent of Columbus; and her brother-in-law, Frank Hawfield of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as well as many other extended family members and friends. Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; her brother, James L. Dent, Jr.; her sister-in-law, Betty Hawfield; and her sister-in-law, Delores Abernathy.
Family was everything to Carol, and she was a devoted grandmother to her grandchildren. She loved nothing more than spending time with them, celebrating their many school and sports achievements. She was excited and proud that James is attending Auburn University and studying to become an architect. She was proud of Caitlin and Christopher’s dedication to their studies at Columbus High as well as their athletic ability on the soccer field. Anyone who spent time with Carol heard stories and updates about her family, and she regularly said how proud she was of each of them.
Carol also included the team members at Auten Poultry and Food Service (later Glover-Auten Food Service) as part of her family. She loved her work as accounting manager, devoting herself to managing the many accounting and administrative aspects of the company. She always took delight in knowing the employees and their families, often asking about individuals’ spouses and children by name. As many would say, Carol was the glue that held the company together.
Carol was a faithful member of St. Paul Church, including the Wesley Miller Wilson Sunday School class. She loved her church, previously serving as a member of the administrative board.
The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Carol’s beloved caregivers, Bessie Harris, Desandre (DJ) Jones, and Lottie Cannon, who have provided years of wonderful, loving care.
A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd., Columbus, GA, 31907 on Saturday, October 4, 2025—with visitation at 9:00 AM and chapel service at 10:00 AM, both in Fisher Chapel. A reception will follow in the Mill Room until 12:00 PM and a private graveside service with family will also be held at noon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Paul Church.
