In 2004, my family joined First Baptist Church of Asheville and I met Audrey Greene. Audrey and I became friends right away and our daughters–in the same grade at school–did too. Over the next 21 years, we spent many Easter lunches and Christmas brunches together, celebrating milestones and heartaches along the way. We joked that her daughter had two bedrooms: the one in her own home and our sofa where she spent many a sleepover.
Audrey passed away on October 3, 2025 from kidney disease. I had the privilege of writing her obituary and delivering her eulogy. Her service was a beautiful memorial to Audrey and it was an honor and a pleasure to be one of the officiants.
The Memorial Service of Audrey Souther Greene (1958-2025)
October 15, 2025
Because Audrey loved to sing, we started the service with a congregational hymn, one of she sang frequently: Jesus Loves me. Following that, her best friend Kathy Hefner read Isaiah 25:6-9 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 and her son, Alex, shared a loving tribute.
For Mom, By Alex Greene
October 15, 2025It’s better to catch flies with honey then vinegar. This was a staple quote for me growing up. For better or worse patience, compassion and empathy were always shown to anyone lucky enough to have known or briefly met my mother. Her name, Audrey Greene and her honey was her infectious smile. When she interacted with anyone, she like Atlas with the Earth on his back gave you an invitation to let her bear all your problems. It was an invitation to let her fix all your problems. It was an invitation to hear “everything is going to be ok” But most of all it was an invitation of love. She loved you no matter what you had done. She loved you no matter where you were from. She loved you even if you didn’t like her. It was who she was, and she didn’t know any other way but to love.
I know I am living proof of her love. On January 20th, 2001, my father died of a sudden cardiac arrest. The next day my 9th birthday. I didn’t know what to think, believe or even where to start. I did however know myself and my sister Anne were going to be okay. The resilience shown through patience, compassion, and love from my mother during this time of turmoil was unprecedented. Widowed at 43 years old with 2 young children who wondered where their father was and what happened to him, she was like the calming light from a lighthouse, shepherding us through. From this maternal guidance I was able to find life again. Travel. Food. People. Sports. Simple joys in life that at one point or another seemed all but an afterthought, were revived through her sacrifice. Thank you, Mom,
As I got a little older, especially in my teenage years I can recall times where I would jokingly call her crazy for doing something I saw as embarrassing. Without any hesitation mom would look back at me and say, “I know son I had to raise you.” This couldn’t have been any closer to the truth. She braved the storm that was single parenthood and came out on top, but she was never the one to solely give herself credit for anything Big or small. she understood the impact of having people in her life. Friends and family. She understood it took a village to do anything in life. If she were here today, she would say the same. Life is only as good as the people you surround yourself with and her arms were open to take anyone in. She saw the good in everyone. She saw the good in life. A self-described wide eyed optimist spreading joy she willed the good out of any scenario. So, was she crazy for constantly seeing the good in others? No. If anything she made life human again, but she was crazy for putting up with my shenanigans. Thank you, mom.
Her elegant approach to life was never lost on me. She was as a proper as an instructor at Cotillion. No elbows on the table. Sit up straight. Look someone in the eye when speaking to them. Most importantly of all you must enunciate your words. Anytime I would challenge the idea that I didn’t have a twang with the words I spoke she would remind me that we do in fact have an accent and it was called a Southern Highland accent. There are not 2 more perfect words to encapsulate her style of elegance. She carried herself with a proud prestige of being called Southern while also respecting the traditions and values set before her. She would always remind me with her favorite saying; American by birth but Southern by the grace of God. Porcelain and fine China for holiday meals. Hearty Southern casseroles for weeknight dinners and weekend breakfasts that smelled so good you wouldn’t want to sleep in. Her elegance was in her Southern pride, and she wore it like a badge of honor. Thank you, mom.
It has almost been 2 weeks since I lost my second and final parent. I can’t help but reflect on how among the shock, grief and sadness I felt the warm embrace of my mother and father as I was comforted by the many, many friends and family they knew and loved. The outpouring amount of support is both humbling and appreciated. Mom I just have one last thing to say: Even though tomorrow maybe a little darker and the air a little colder, you’re with me. I know I can’t hear your voice, but that’s OK, I can feel you in my heart. I will be sure to carry the torch to warm the hearts that never got to feel yours. You may have left my world, but I heard those angels sing as they embraced you with a warm welcome home. I will forever and always love you. Thank you, Mom.
Be Thou My Vision
Following Alex’s sweet, tender remarks, my son, Baker Lawrimore, sang one of Audrey’s favorites: Be Thou My Vision.
When he finished, there was absolute silence–except for the sniffles. Audrey was known as a quick crier, so this was completely on brand. I stood to speak immediately after this tear-inducing performance.
Eulogy for Audrey Greene
October 15, 2025
By Aileen Mitchell Lawrimore
If Audrey were here, she would be crying right now—no one ever cried alone when Audrey was around. And if she had been sitting close enough, Rick Hefner would have said, “Audrey stop that crying!” to which she would have responded, “Lay off Rick or I’ll turn on the Hallmark Channel!”
We were at her Sunday school class’s annual Christmas Party when Audrey Greene learned my unintentional secret and threatened to end our friendship. She was describing a dish she enjoyed, recalling the recipe before saying, “You can find it in this month’s Southern Living magazine.” That’s when I told her: “Audrey, I don’t subscribe to Southern Living.”
Audrey: “I think I’m getting the vapers!”
Aileen: “In fact, I’ve never read a Southern Living magazine.”
You would have thought I slapped her.
“Aileen!” she clutched her pearls. “You were raised in the South! How could you . . . how is it possible . . . You haven’t read Southern Living?” She was stupefied.
Thanks to Audrey’s forgiving nature, our friendship survived that tense and strained exchange, but I’m sure she wondered how in the world I fed my family without the help of Southern Living.
In the passage Isaiah 25:6-9 that Kathy read, Isaiah promises his audience that “on this mountain the LorD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food. . .” If you knew Audrey, you know that the LORD of hosts just got one talented sous chef!
Audrey was a Southern lady who loved to cook, but she was also so much more.
Audrey the Nurse
She was, for example, a devoted nurse. In 1979, Audrey graduated with a nursing diploma from Watt’s School of Nursing. She was quick to tell anyone who asked that her nursing school courses were considerably more challenging than the liberal arts credits she added later to complete her bachelor’s in nursing.
Audrey the Student Nurse
While a student at Watt’s, Audrey made more than good grades: she made dear friends as well. As often happens, Audrey lost touch with them over the years; but that group of friends never forgot her. It is a testimony to her pivotal role in their lives that about 10 years ago these friends set out to find Audrey Greene one way or the other. It wasn’t easy, but they kept looking until finally! They got in touch with her and immediately resumed their relationship where they had left off. Shopping and dining trips, out of town sleepovers, zoom calls, and lots of greeting cards helped these women, caregivers by trade and by nature, care for each other, becoming community all over again, just as they had been when they were in nursing school.
Audrey the Professional
As a nurse, Audrey’s calm professionalism and attentive care surely gave her patients the sense of peace that is so pivotal to complete healing. Just imagine having surgery, coming out of anesthesia, and opening your eyes to the beautiful, loving smile of Audrey Greene. Talk about winning the health care lottery!
One of her care-givers at her dialysis center shared this example of Audrey’s nursing skill and generous spirit. She said, “Audrey was my first needlestick and she was so patient with me. She told me about her nursing days and how she understood the importance of learning. She was helping me through it while being so supportive.”
Being a nurse was so much a part of who Audrey was that even in her last days when her brain was jumbled and her mind confused, she kept saying, “Do no harm. Do no harm. Do no harm. Do no harm. . . .” A nurse to the very end.
Audrey the Community Builder
Audrey cared for people as a nurse, but she also just cared. I truly don’t know if I have known anyone else more extroverted than Audrey Greene. . .and I’m . . . me! She loved people so much. Her daughter, Anne, described her like this: “My mom was happy to be in the world. She was one of very few people who was genuinely, authentically welcoming. She had no malicious intent and was never conniving. She had an altruistic spirit.”
Audrey was a true community builder. Once you met Audrey, she remembered key things about you so that later, when she had the opportunity to introduce you to a new friend, she could do so properly. It went something like this: “This is my friend Aileen. Her kids went to Reynolds High,” and “Aileen, this is my friend Jane Doe. She has a younger sister who recently graduated from Reynolds.” If you ever visited her in the hospital, you would here something like, “Hey Honey! Have a seat!” (nurse comes in) “Aileen this is Mary Smith. Mary just graduated from nursing school didn’t you Mary! Aren’t you proud of her?!” If you did not know her very well, you might think I’m exaggerating. But when we say Audrey Greene never met a stranger, we mean the woman made every stranger a friend!
Another testimony from the dialysis center illustrates the point well: “She was literally the nicest person I have ever known. It was always the highlight of my day to see her come in and greet every single person coming and going from the clinic. I loved being her tech because she always asked about my family (especially my girls).”
Audrey’s Sunday School Class
Audrey loved people. And some of the people who loved her best in return were those in the Mark Sunday school class here at FBCA.
In the passage we heard earlier, Isaiah says, “The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth. . ..”
Audrey’s Sunday school class wiped away so many of her tears and bore so many burdens that could have been Audrey’s disgrace. Their care for Audrey in the last 10 years gave her a decade she may not have had without them. They took her to dialysis appointments here in Asheville, and doctors’ appointments—some of which were here, but others were all the way in Chapel Hill. The distance was irrelevant. Her Sunday school class helped her move, several times, and provided her transportation for get-togethers and special events.
Audrey’s friends Ric and Kathy
The class as a whole cared for Audrey, but no one was more faithful in this task than Rick and Kathy Hefner. Rick was the brother she never had and Kathy was some beautiful combination of sister, caregiver, and drill sergeant. Anne remembers from her childhood that when things got rough, she would say to her mom, “Call Mrs. Kathy. She’ll fix it. Call Mrs. Kathy. She can help.” So to the Sunday school class members here today, thank you. You have given us, through your love for Audrey, an example of how to love others as Christ loved the church.
Audrey the Daughter & Sister
Audrey loved her family.
In recent years, Audrey, her sister Beverly, and their mother have spent treasured time together here in Asheville. Beverly and her mom would come, pick up Audrey, and the three of them would have breakfast at Moose Café, check out the sales at Discount shoes, stop by Apollo Flame for lunch or dinner, and hit Annie B’s Homemade Ice Cream sometime in between. I mean, I’m not saying they did all that on the same day. I’m not saying they didn’t either. When it was time for Anne’s wedding, Beverly and her mother were all in, making sure their attire matched Audrey’s mother of the bride vibe! Because they made love their priority, Audrey, Beverly, and Edna made precious memories that brought them laughter and hope. Thanks be to God.
Audrey the Mom
Alex
Audrey loved her kids. Alex testified beautifully and accurately of his mother’s love. She did love you dearly Alex! There is one little thing I’d like to add. Alex and Audrey spoke fluent medical language together. Whatever was scratched, bruised, or oozing, they would gladly discuss in its most grotesque detail. They’d be head-to-head, talking about things like skin rashes, internal bleeding, and all matter of bodily fluid. Alex seemed not only to endure these discussions, but actually to enjoy them! Your mom loved those times with you Alex.
Eduardo
Audrey always knew that Anne would choose a great life partner; in Eduardo, Audrey’s prayers were answered. Long before Anne and Eddie married, Audrey spoke of a wedding that celebrated both the Arambulas Mexican culture and the Greene’s Irish heritage. “Won’t that just be lovely?!” It was a couple of years away at that point, but Anne and Eddie’s wedding was an absolute delight to Audrey. In every photo, she’s smiling or laughing. She loved you, Eduardo, with her whole heart. And that’s not just because you served her homemade French toast the first time you met her and later bought a house so she could live with you! Eddie, you loved your mother-in-law with tender compassion and faithful devotion. And she loved you right back.
Anne
While Audrey passed down to Alex her love of medical maladies, Anne inherited her mother’s love of baking. Anne remembers learning to bake at her mother’s side. That’s a gift that keeps on giving as now, the whole Arambula family is often treated to Audrey’s sour cream poundcake! In fact, you’ll get to sample that today as one of Anne’s first requests about today’s events was that we served her mother’s poundcake. Your mom was proud of you for many things, Anne, but the fact that you have mastered one of her favorite recipes and are passing it down surely makes the top 10.
Anne, like Alex, knew she was loved. She told me, “I never questioned my mother’s love. I could have told her anything about me and she would never have stopped loving me. I could have told her I was gay or trans or identified as a potted plant. I could have told her I was addicted, bankrupt, or accused of murder. Nothing would have stopped her from loving me. Nothing. And I always knew that.”
Audrey the Follower of Christ
In that way, Audrey taught her children and others how God loves humanity. . .recklessly and persistent, overflowing with grace and mercy. Audrey could love like that, because she knew that is how God loves.
Still, I think if Audrey could speak to us today, she would have a message for us. I think she would tell us never to stop living life to the fullest, no matter how hard it gets. She would say take care of yourself. She would say don’t take your mental health for granted and don’t be ashamed to ask for help. Audrey would empathize with those who struggle and she would tell you what she has learned now that she is safe in heaven’s embrace. She would say. “Don’t limit your belief in God’s love to God’s love for everyone else. Believe that you too are worthy, lovable, and precious to God.”
And when she saw our tears, she would shed a few with us, then she would say, “Oh honey! Don’t you grieve as those who have no hope! Look, here’s Jesus! Jesus, this is my friend . . .”
We loved her so. And we grieve. But we grieve with confident hope that we will see her again. Thanks be to God.
