Ross-Clayton Funeral Home, Inc. | Montgomery, AL

Obituary For Ms. Audrey Earlene Anderson

Ms. Audrey Earlene Anderson, a resident of Montgomery, AL., passed away August 17, 2024. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. in St. John's AME Church. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

Audrey Earlene Anderson was a phenomenal woman, a testament to excellence, grace, and determination. She was born on September 25, 1953, in Montgomery, Alabama, the only child of the union of the late Jewette Langford Anderson and the late Count Earl Anderson. She grew up in a house on Jackson Street that was razed to make way for Interstate 85. Audrey received Christ at an early age under the leadership of Pastor William Harris at St. John’s AME Church where she participated in the choir and the Young People’s Department, one year serving as Youth Day Speaker. She served faithfully in the St. John’s Working Club upon her return to her home church as an adult.

Audrey’s early education laid the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and success. She attended Miss McGinty’s Nursery School and Kindergarten and completed first through ninth grades at Alabama State College ( now Alabama State University) Laboratory High School. Her secondary education was completed at Sidney Lanier High School where she was the first Black Varsity Cheerleader and the first Black student chosen as a School Beauty. Academically, Audrey was inducted into the French National Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She was a National Achievement Scholarship recipient. and graduated third in her 1971 class. Audrey was active in several clubs in high school, including the math and French clubs, the ROTC Officers Club and sponsor, and Blue and White feature editor.

During her school years in Montgomery, Audrey’s participation in community activities included being a member of Tots and Teens, Inc., member of the Southern Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc. and she was the 1970 winner of the Miss Teenage Capital City Pageant. Audrey continued to break barriers as the first Black participant in the Montgomery Junior Miss Pageant in 1971. She was a teen model who appeared in the January 1972 issue of Seventeen Magazine.

Choosing Howard University, Audrey enrolled on full academic scholarship. While there she was lead majorette for two years, Miss Business School, Miss Omega Psi Phi and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She graduated cum laude with a degree in accounting in May 1975. However, Audrey was not done academically as in subsequent years she earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Indiana University and passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA)exam. She followed those by obtaining a juris doctor degree from Emory University and was licensed to practice law in Alabama and Georgia.

Initially employed by H. J. Heinz Company in Pittsburg after graduating from Howard University, Audrey later took a position with the Ernst and Young accounting firm in Nashville. After her law degree, she held the position of staff attorney for the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Atlanta. She also served as an adjunct professor at Southern Polytechnic (now Georgia Perimeter University).

Combining her background in finance, accounting, and law, along with work experiences, and other credentials of a lifetime of high achievement, Audrey was appointed as Vice President for Fiscal Affairs at Alabama State University (ASU).. She was chief steward of a $45 million budget and was the first female Vice President of Fiscal Affairs at the then 119-year-old institution and at t the second female Vice President at the time ever appointed at ASU.

Audrey’s leisure times activities include relaxation on the golf course, travel, and spending time with family and friends.

Audrey leaves to cherish her precious memory devoted cousins, Alberta Davis, Danny Davis, Carol Jarrett Perdum, Altre’ Johnson, a loving, dedicated sister-friend, Alma West-Arrington, several God Children and a host of other relatives, lifelong friends and AKA line sisters.

Guest Book

I extend my deepest sympathy to the family. I am saddened to learn that my friend Audrey passed. We met when we both attended Emory Law School. I remember her being attractive, well-dressed, and pleasant. She liked to play Pac-Man between classes and was the President of our Black Law Student Association (BLSA) Chapter. After graduation, we stayed in contact, met for lunch and worked together briefly. I don't know how she found it, but I am ever grateful that she discovered an historical document about my Great-great Grandfather, who was born into slavery. When she moved back to Montgomery, we stayed in touch, although I was only able to visit her a few times and due to her illness, we hadn't talked in many years. May she rest in peace and power! Gwendolyn Johnson (Georgia)

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With Deepest Sympathy to the Anderson Family. Ms Dorothy J Roberts Bethel Missionary Baptist Church

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Our sincere condolences 💐 to the Anderson family. Maurice Stoutermire & Family

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Audrey was such a determined achiever. In spite of her long illness and her absence from regular engagement with friends, Audrey lived a life immersed in family love, professional success, and valuable friendships. She should be remembered for her strengths and her best years. The undying devotion of her friends is a tribute to her endearing personality and their unshakable bond. She is surely heaven bound. Vanzetta Penn McPherson

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I am crying as we speak I was just told by a good friend of mine she's passed away on Saturday so shocked went to school with the whole family at lab High Randy my sympathy goes out to you and your whole family Edward Andrews and family Providence Rhode Island

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My sister behind the wall rest in peace and everlasting love. Erica

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Audrey you will be missed, wwe know that you are now surrounded by all those who loved you and went on before you, now rest in peace. Annie Sue, Kenneth and Erica.

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Ross-Clayton Funeral Home, Inc. | Montgomery, AL