Obituary - Audrey Coody Power

Audrey Coody Power, 85, passed away March 30, 2024, peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral Services will be conducted Thursday, April 4th, at 2:00 p.m. at Queen Street United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, April 3rd, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home.

Audrey was born July 13, 1938, the daughter of Robert Whipple Coody, a building contractor, and Audrey Shepherd Coody, a nurse, in Dodge County (Eastman), Georgia. Audrey had three siblings, a sister and two brothers. In 1951, following the early death of her father, Audrey, her mother and younger brother moved to Milledgeville, Georgia where Audrey completed high school and later graduated from Georgia State College for Women (Georgia College) with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. A pioneer in education for children with emotional disabilities, Audrey and her sister developed and served as teachers for the first classroom at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville. It was through teaching that Audrey discovered her life’s passion for educating and serving others. Her teaching career spanned over four decades as she taught young children, adolescents, and adult learners in public and volunteer settings.

Also in Milledgeville, Audrey met and married the love of her life, Russell Power, Sr., on April 9, 1960. Soon followed the births of their children, daughter Katrina, and 13 months later, son Russell Jr. Audrey joyfully embraced motherhood and encouraged her children to practice their faith, be kind to others, and persevere in achieving their dreams through education and hard work. In 1971, the young family moved to Kinston to further husband Russell’s career as an engineer at Texfi Industries. Upon arriving, Audrey and Russell became active members of Queen Street Methodist Church. Audrey’s love for the Lord and service to the church started in her years as a teen and continued into her 80’s. She taught Sunday school, facilitated prayer groups, supported church events, and participated in church committees and planning groups.

Audrey also enjoyed spending time in the kitchen nurturing others. She enjoyed freezing and cooking fresh vegetables and fruits harvested from her husband’s garden and was renowned, especially by her children and grandchildren, for her wonderful meals and desserts. She was especially known for her delicious pound cakes that she graciously shared with others. For many years, she celebrated her own birthday by cooking a complete home-cooked meal for the residents of a local homeless shelter.

Audrey’s favorite “hobby” was following and supporting her children and later, grandchildren, in their academic endeavors and participation in extracurricular activities. She enjoyed being part of the grandparent cheering squad during her grandchildren’s kindergarten through college years, closely following their baseball, football, soccer and softball events.

In addition to her parents, Audrey was preceded in death by her sister, Seenie Courtney, and brothers, Richard and RW Coody.

Audrey will be best remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and faith beacon for her family. Survivors include her husband of nearly 64 years, Russell Power, Sr. of Kinston; daughter, Katrina Power-Hinson (Bob) of Kinston; son, Russell Jr. (Lori) of Clayton; her three grandchildren, Lauren Parrish (Matthew) of Rochester, Minnesota; Matt Hinson (Katherine) of Nashville, Tennessee; and Kristin Tedder (Jonathan) of Wilson. Also surviving are several special sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to Gentiva Hospice; Physicians East; and special caregiver, Rhonda Davis.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Audrey’s memory to Queen Street United Methodist Church or to the charity of your choice.