Audrey Ruth Elder

Audrey grew up in Louisville, Kentucky just down the street from Churchill Downs. Little did she know that she would represent the local US Naval Ordnance Plant as a Derby Princess, convertible riding with royal hand waving. She graduated from the Presentation Academy that she continued to support all her life.

Audrey met her husband Bob who was stationed at the US Army Recruiting Main Station where she worked in Louisville, Kentucky. They were married for 58 years.

Audrey had no way to be familiar with real “Army life” when they first married, but she was excited and ready to get started. She soon became the stable force who ran the home and raised the children. After moving across the country 32 times in 25 years, she was very happy to finally settle down in Buda, Texas in 1984.

Once her daughters had grown, Audrey found herself with more free time and turned to helping her community. She was an invaluable volunteer with the Buda Women’s Club, and served as bookkeeper for their consignment shop, BW’s Boutique. Over the course of 20 years, Audrey served as treasurer of the board of trustees for the Buda Public Library and earned her Texas County Librarian Certificate. She also volunteered in the school library of the Santa Cruz Catholic Church and served as an onsite election official during many local, state and federal elections.

Through her life she found happiness in singing and lent her talents to the church choir. She also enjoyed her time playing bunco, bowling in a league, and was an avid reader.

Audrey was recognized for her community service in several ways. In 1978 she won the first Molly Pitcher award which recognizes women who had voluntarily contributed in a significant way to the support of the Kansas Army National Guard. She was also recognized in 1996 as the Buda Citizen of the Year in recognition of her selflessness and service to the people of Buda, another convertible ride with fancy hand waving.

Audrey is preceded in death by her parents Ignatius Spalding Miles and Clara Amelia Lauder. She is survived by her husband Bob; her daughters Amy, Julie and Ruth; sons-in-laws David, Johnny and Sonny; and her beloved grandsons Stephen and Joey. She is also survived by her sister, Shirley, brother-in-law, Rich, and many nephews and nieces, and their families.

In lieu of flowers, her family would be grateful for a blood donation at the center of your choice, or for a monetary donation to Friends of The Buda Library.

Her life will be celebrated on Friday, June 1, 2018 at 10am at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home at 6300 West William Cannon in Austin.