Audrey Riley was a friend to many in Tyler County and so easy going, like so many grand senior ladies in Tyler County making this the best place in which to live.
I came to know her late, not long before she retired as the founding director of Woodville’s “First Baptist Church Day Care” on Dec. 31, 1997, after 29 years.
On Sept. 3, 1968, FBC accepted a committee’s recommendation to establish the Day Care when FBC was pastored by Dr. Raymond Parker. Milton Durhan led the first board of directors which he chaired for 25 years. With Durham, the first board comprised Dr. R. E. “Bob” Swearingen, Ferne Mahan, Billie Polk, Ernestine Clark, Robert McCombs, and Anne Garner.
With the appointment of Audrey as first director, the founding staff were Elene Hart, Elaine Owens, and Cormelia Brooke.
Audre became a legend over the decades, formulating policies and even creating a clothes closet from clothes often left behind for students who had “accidents” and didn’t that day bring an extra set. She thought of everything.
After several health issues, her resignation letter in Nov. of 1997 set the date of Dec. 31 for her official retirement, declaring how “hard” it will be “to imagine not seeing my kids every day,” saying she “always tried to let God lead” and affectionately, “Some of these former children have their own children.”
As the 1980s rolled in with more government oversight, Audrey did not miss a beat and got her Day Care certified. Eventually, the name was changed to Jacob’s Ladder Learning Center.
I was one of the many beneficiaries of Audrey’s on-the-go pound cakes. She carried several gently wrapped in aluminum foil to give to friends and strangers alike.
When Frank Walker, her son-in-law, shared with me her two-inch thick scrapbook, memories of her in church flooded my mind. How many others had adopted her as a kind of surrogate “aunt,” “big sister,” “mother” of one sort or another of a sweet matronly incarnation?
When Phil Hart saw the letter that his mother Elene Hart had written to Audrey those decades ago, many fond memories of his mother and her fine penmanship came to mind. He was gifted the letter.
As time passed, the Texas State Licensing Board designated Audrey’s center as a “Model Day Care Center,” and she aided starting centers in churches in Lufkin and Beaumont. In 1992, she helped New Iberia during the clean up after hurricane Andrew.
The scrapbook was mostly a collection of nearly 100 letters of appreciation to Audrey on her 25th Silver Anniversary and few from her ’97 retirement party. Here are a few of the host of quotes to Woodville’s Day Care Champion Audrey Riley:
“My first Monday here … you asked me for a hug, and I knew then that you were a very special lady.” – FBC Pastor Chet Haney
“I hope you feel a tremendous sense of satisfaction for having been a part of so many lives and for having blessed so many ‘little people’ and their parents.” – Curtis & Anne Garner
“I have personally appreciated you and your love of children…. [you are a] Person who is willing to do everything.” – Milton Durham
“I have seen the love you share with children and the love they give you in return.” You’re “one of a kind.” – Ben Farmer
“Your trust and faithful spirit shows that all may see.” – Lloyd & Lois Henderson
“When we first adopted Chad and then Ashley, it was a very hard thing for us to both go back to work and leave them…. The fact that you were overseeing their wellbeing … made leaving them much easier. We knew that you had their best interests at heart.” – Beverly, Tilman, Ashley, Chad Johnson
“You are a dear friend, and I really do love you…. If you ever need a shoulder, please call. Mine are broad and soft.” – Dorothy Oates
“Philippians 1:3 … ‘I thank God upon every remembrance of you.’” – Willie Mae Mahan
Wheat Elementary School recognized “Audrey Riley Day” on her 25th year for her work coordinating kindergarten and daycare. – Principal Sherry Kenner
“I love your smile and I wish you the the best of everything.” – Edith Shepherd
“Audrey means, ‘Nobly Strong,’ with noble courage or spirit, gallantly, splendidly … morally powerful … able to think vigorously and clearly.” – Thelma Van & Louis Van Slyke
“What better place could a mother leave her cherished child, than in a place surrounded by love and friendship.” – Jean Phillips
“We had lots of UPS & DOWNS—your coming up the stairs and my going down. We passed the buck a lot and are still doing it: Ha, Ha!” – Carolyn Allison
“THE MOST SPECIAL OF ALL HIS HELPERS,” in large green crayon on yellow paper, doubtlessly a wee child. – Denise Sanderson
There were many more, and—as you know—the typed and hand-written notes only represent a fraction of the innumerable lives she touched. The FBC newsletter for Dec. 1997 invited all to a retirement reception for Audrey Riley’s three decades of service.
Oh, dear Ms. Riley is very much like so many fine country Christian ladies in the heart of east Texas making this the best place in the world to live. She passed onto her substantial reward on May 8, 2019.
Today, Jacob’s Ladder has been led by Tiffany Moye since 2015, herself having been with them since 1999 with current staff of 12.
