Leatha Messer Autrey

Candler- Our mother, Leatha Mae Messer Autrey, 79, went home to be with the Lord Sunday March 28, 2004 at Pisgah Manor Nursing Home after a short illness. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends who knew and loved her. A lifetime resident of Buncombe County, she was born June 15, 1924 to the late Edward Conley Messer and Marie Rhymer Messer. Leatha was also preceded in death by her husband Ray James Autrey in 1996, a son Edward Alan Autrey in 2000, an infant grandson Todd Haney and two brothers Carl and J.C. Messer. She is survived by a son, Ronald Ray Autrey and wife Sheryl of Charlotte; daughter, Barbara Autrey Shook and husband Ned of Candler; three beloved grandchildren, Cheryl Wood and husband Wade of Asheville, Michael Ray Autrey of Jacksonville, FL. and Susan McCoy and husband Jerry of Jacksonville Fl.; seven precious great grandchildren, Aubrey, Casey, Bailey and Kerry Wood, Chelsy Autrey and Nathan and Patrick McCoy, and several nephews and cousins and three sisters. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at Anders-Rice Funeral home with Pastor Ken Lewis and officiating. Burial will be in Pisgah View Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 1 hour before services at the funeral home. Flowers are appreciated or memorial may be made to: West Asheville Baptist Church Building Fund, 926 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC. 28806. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to Pisgah Manor Nursing Home for their loving care of our mother.