Launa Shaffer Autrey
July 23, 1933 ~ December 9, 2009
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Launa Shaffer Autrey, 76, of 1 Canyon Echo Road, died Wednesday, December 9, 2009.
Mrs. Autrey was born in Bristol, VA, and was a daughter of the late Worley J. and Elsie Necessary Shaffer. She was married to Daniel Lee Autrey, who died in 2002, and was also preceded in death by a daughter, Diana Montgomery, who died in 2001, and by her mother- and father-in-law.
Mrs. Autrey was a member of the American Association for the Deaf and Blind and the NC Deaf and Blind Association. She was a member of Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church.
She is survived a son, Jan Autrey and his wife, Karen, of Boston, MA; two brothers, Conley Shaffer and his wife, June, and Clarence R. Shaffer and his wife, Ann, all of Bristol, VA, three grandchildren, Dawn Montgomery and her husband, Alan Hoglen of NC, Jason Autrey and Jennifer Autrey of MA, and one great-granddaughter, Haiden Ellia Montgomery-Hoglen.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Daniel Dockery officiating. Interment will be at Skyview Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to the Deaf Ministry of Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church, 283 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801.
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My son, Dylan, and I delivered meals to Ms. Autrey. She was a precious person. We will miss her. Our prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
Pray for her family and rest in peace in heaven..Hugs…
My dear friend of so many years is with her beloved Dan and Diana. I will miss her very much. She has been an inspiration to me in so many ways. My prayers are with her family and friends at this difficult time. Sue Etheridge
Dear Launa,
Thank you for everything for showing me that I can live my life to the fullest as a deaf-blind. Without your encouagement and patience, I would never be where I am today. May your spirit lives on forever. From Randy Pope
Launa,
You were a wonderful and inspiring woman. You taught me that anyone can overcome whatever God puts in front of us. You were such a blessing to be around. I can only hope that I can inspire other Deaf/Blind folks to be more independant like you have done to so many. We will miss you greatly, and forever be greatful for all you did for so many people. I am sincerely honored to have known you.
See You In Heaven
Lee Bob
1st VP NCDBA
My condolences to all the family and friends of Mrs. Autrey. I hope good memories will give comfort at this sad time.
Sincerely, Judith Pittillo
Launa,
What a blessing it was to have you in our lives. When I found out I was losing my vision I just thought my world had ended but then I met you and I realized my life has just begun. I love you and I will miss you my friend. Till we meet again.
Tonia Hartley
NCDBA Treasurer
Dear family and friends of Launa:
Condolences go out to you as you endure a sad time in the loss of a wonderful relative or friend. She will definitely be missed in more ways than we can say.
I had the privilege of knowing Launa though the NC Deaf-Blind community (NCDBA and Camp Dogwood). Launa was a mainstay at camp from the start. She was an insiration to everyone, young and old with her wpirit, wit, and an awesomely positive outlook on life. I will remember the talks we had on the boats and porch, her wonderful stories, and her love for dressing up in prepration for the ‘theme’ dances at Camp.
She will forever be in the hearts of many. May she find delight and comfort with her dear ones in God’s Kingdom. Til we meet again.
I remember her at the Camp Dogwood. She is the nicest person ever met. I love talking to her. I missed her.
Jan, I was sorry to hear about your mom. She was truly an inspiration to all who knew her. May God Bless you and your family.
My sympathy is going with your family I am Launa’s good friend for a long time I love her so much and miss her Ruby A. Taylor
We here at the Biltmore Dental Group would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Launa’s family. She was a very sweet and gentle woman.She always had a smile on her face. She and the family are in our prayers and she will be missed tremendously.
Sincerely, Dr Barry Duncan and Staff
To Jan, my condoiences for your Mother. It is also sad to lose our loved one’s and be missed.
Charles Luther
Jan,
It’s been a long time but we never forget our family. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. Mother would love to be there but doesn’t feel that she can make the trip.
Aunt Launa was an amazing woman and I always admired her for her ambitious outlook on life and her independence and her contributions to the deaf and blind community.
Evelyn Pitman Dickerson
Daughter of Helen Autrey Pitman
My dearest Aunt Launa,
You have been an inspiration and blessing to the deaf-blind community through your positive influence and overcoming obstacles in daily life. Now, you are in Heaven joining with your love ones and experiencing the sights and sounds of joy! You will be missed, but not forgotten! On behalf of my family, I extend sympathy to Jan and his family, Dawn’s and the Shaffer family in the loss of Launa.
Until we meet again….
Jimmy & Pat Autrey, Brian Autrey and sons, Zackary and Joshua, Bonnie Kay and Beulah Autrey
Launa was a joy to be around. I loved her stories, her zeal for life, and the way she adored her family. She will be greatly missed.
Launa was a wonderful Christian woman who impacted my life as her sister in Christ, and also in my journey of becoming a sign language interpreter. Know that your mom and grandmother left her fingerprints on the lives of many. I am deeply sorry for your loss, but rejoice in her inheritance… eternal life!
Blessings,
Debbie Ballentine
We will always remember you. You are a wonderful person.
Launa,You will be always remeber by so many friends you got.You are now in a beautiful Home Heaven with Father plus your beloved Dan and daughter forever.You will be always in our thought and heart with our deep sympathy.
Launa was so amazing personal character in many ways what and how she could do with her blindness and deafness. She was very nice and sweet lady as I eve knew. She mostly aprecicated eveyone . I could not thank her enough for teaching my husband, Charles. Our sympathy goes to her family. Launa will never be forgotten, and will be continued always remembering through on. We always loved her. Goodbye.Doris and Chas. Mor
Launa was so special to us & everyone that ever met her. She will be missed.
Launa was an inspiration to everyone that knew year. She was also a fabulous role model for people with hearing and vision loss. I am blessed to have known her and I thank her for all who were inspired by her deeds. The fruit of her labor will continue to live on forever through NCDBA and Camp Dogwood! May God bless us all to live a life as full as Launa’s! My prayers are with the family and loved ones she leaves behind.
Upon the news, with heavy in our heart as we heard of her passing, but knowing Launa, she shall be as amazingly happy as we would have imagined as she’s up there with our Lord. We are blessed and grateful as we knew Launa for a long time. Even at such many miles before us, we do offer our love and thoughts to the family of Launa Autrey’s.
My condolences to the Autrey family. May God bring you comfort. I will truly miss you Launa!
Cory
Dearest Autrey family,
I fondly remember Launa’s love for dancing. She is now truly dancing with the saints in the heavenly realm. I recall her contagious smile and personality. She brought the joy of life to everyone she came into contact with. Joy was evident in the many speed boat rides at Camp Dogwood and laughter when visiting the farm zoo near Camp Dogwood. There was a combination of all emotions at the Christmas Tea’s and Holiday celebrations where the Deaf-Blind, Deaf and Hard of Hearing gathered. I count it a blessing to have had the privilege of knowing Launa and Dan as well as other family members. May we celebrate her life in the knowledge that she knew, loved, and served her Savior and Lord.
Wayne Giese
Morganton, NC
Launa will be missed by many deaf-blind friends. She and Dan, my old school pal were motivated to organize the fellowship with their dear friend Sue Etheridge with assistance to get many deaf-blind persons out of isolations. May God bless that fine lady Launa.
It was a blessing to know and working with Launa. She has blessed/touched us in many ways with her personality and life. She will be missed. My condolences to the Autrey family, may God comfort you and give you His peace.
She was a blessing to know, and i will miss her very much.
I knew Launa from the many Camp Dogwood Deaf-Blind Weekends and the NCDBA Conferences. Through the years, she has shared some wonderful stories about her and Dan. I will miss her as she was a blessing to me and the deaf-blind community.
On behalf of the Helen Keller National Center I extend condolensces to Launa’s family.
On a personal level, for as long as I can remember Launa was an inspiring figure in the Deaf-Blind community of NC, and beyond. We visited the Biltmore House together during one of the conventions, a wonderful memory that I will cherish. Always smiling, and energized by the oppportunity to interact with other people- her person will be missed although I have no doubt her spirit will endure. You are a dear soul Launa!
To the Family, Especially for Jan and Karen,
I have written in this before byonut for some reason it didn’t post…so this is my second time writing this. Hopefully this time it will post.. The family and friends are very bless to have her in each and every one of
lives! Launa certainly have blessed my life. I will ALW AYS have special place in my heart for Ms.Autrey. She was an awesome and s weet lady!!! I have no doubt in my mind She is dancing along with her husband and share many wonderful memories with her daughter, Diana.