Ara Juanita Autry
August 27, 1934 - July 27, 2015
Juanita passed away on July 27 surrounded by her family. She was born August 27, 1934 to Clarence and Lois Cox in Marlow, Okla. She grew up in the Big Spring, Texas area where she later met her future husband Bill (W.E.) Autry, who was finishing his Air Force services in 1952. The newly-married couple relocated to Lubbock where Bill entered Texas Tech University as Juanita supported the family as a telephone operator. A year later they had the first of their three children Bill(y). Two and a half years later Vicki was born. Bill graduated college and went to work for the Soil Conservation Service as Juanita became a full time mother; Diane was born 18 months later. Bill, Juanita and family moved to Ephrata in 1963 as Bill accepted a transfer to work on water projects. Juanita was active in the PTA, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and various other services.
Anyone that knew her would know of her Southern hospitality, her tenacity and her "determination." As her children grew up, she and Bill transferred back to Paris, Texas, where she commuted to East Texas State University (Texas A&M), graduating with a business degree. She later became the Director of Volunteers at McCuistion Hospital. In the aftermath of a damaging and fatal tornado in Paris, she worked with the state of Texas to help victims with survival necessities.
The couple, realizing that you can't go back home and that Ephrata was really where their hearts were, planned for retirement and returned. They filled their days with coffee buddies, camping, traveling, fishing and entertaining grandchildren. Bill passed away in 2006. Juanita kept herself busy with her yard and coffee buddies. Unfortunately in later years she was overcome with the effects of Alzheimer's and spent the last three years in the care of Summerwood facility.
Juanita is survived by her three children, Bill (Chris) Autry, Vicki (Jim) Weitzel, Diane Clark (Fritz Howard), her grandchildren, Jeremy (Jennifer), Brad & Nick Weitzel, Justin Clark, Rachael and Kaitlyn Autry. She is also survived by five great-grandsons and all of her coffee buddies.
Graveside Services will be held Monday, August 3 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ephrata Cemetery. An Open House will follow at 790 C Street S.W. Ephrata. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.nicolesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata, Wash.