Audrey Jeane Neuberger

Audrey Jeane Neuberger passed peacefully on July 3, 2024 at 99 years young, leaving behind a beautiful legacy and life well lived. Audrey saw so much in her almost 100 years, experienced trials and overcame, walked the loss of many before her with grace, and welcomed the arrival of many after her with so much joy: 2 daughters, 2 son-in-laws, 5 grandchildren and spouses, 11 great grandchildren and more on the way. A family that's been in awe of and cherished her for years.

Audrey was born on April 26, 1925 in Newark, New Jersey to Lillian Braun and William H. Williams. In 1943 she joined the Rainbow Girls and continued on to become an Eastern Star as a member of Newark Assembly 1 and then Liberty Chapter 109 later in Virginia. She attended Vailsburg High School and graduated in 1943. After school she worked for the phone company and began a relationship with a nice young man in the US Coast Guard, Elmer Neuberger. They were married on March 12, 1945. Audrey and Elmer both worked at the New Jersey Neuropsychiatric Institute in Skillman, NJ; her under the Director of Personnel and he as an electrician as they built a life together and welcomed two daughters, Lois and Janet.

In a time when many women didn't work, she did, for years alongside Elmer and in 1982 they bought a place at Smith Mt. Lake in Virginia for retirement. Audrey would go on to spend many beautiful years there, taking care of it all independently as Elmer passed in 1983.

Mothers and Grandmas are the best of us, and this one was no exception and perhaps the rule. Ma or Great Ma, as she became known through the years, provided her family the most amazing place to join every Summer and celebrate at "the lake". Her home was always an open door to all and full of laughter, boat rides, fishing, tubing, sunburn, grilling out, game nights and so much love. She spent years in Huddleston, VA through her retirement and enjoyed the community. She was part of the Firebelles, a craft group supporting the local fire department, took painting classes and was an active member of Patmos United Methodist Church and later Thomas Road Baptist Church. She was also fortunate to spend time during these years traveling with good friends, Doris and Connie, and made her way to many beautiful places including China, Israel, Germany, France and Italy.

Her family will remember her as being generous, funny, brave, caring, independent, a prankster, resourceful, creative, smart, confident and someone to always look up to. Many of the grandkids remember Ma being the one to teach them life skills like operating a riding lawn mower, a circular saw, how to refinish furniture, archery, water skiing, about plants, insects, birds and so much more as they spent Summers together. She was also a ruthless boardgame player and taught us all how to win and lose in games and life with pride. 

Audrey lives on in her daughters, grandchildren and all her great grandchildren. How lucky are we to have had her for so long and will carry a piece of her with us always. We love you, thank you.

Audrey is preceded in death by her parents Lillian and William Williams; her husband Elmer Neuberger; her brother Bill Williams; her son-in-laws Dale Walton Sr. and Bill Rolfe.

Audrey is survived by her daughters Lois Walton and Janet Rolfe; grandchildren Dale Walton Jr and Debbie, Gregory and Jean Walton, Karen and Bill Ruppert, Niven and Corley Stanley, Hunter and McKinsey Moore; her great grandchildren Dale and Meg Walton, Taylor and Zachary Walton, Samantha, Cheyanne and Linzey Ruppert, Kennedy and Lincoln Stanley, Seneca and Lennox Moore; her sister-in-law Elizabeth Williams and many beloved Nieces, Nephews and Godchildren.

A private service will be held at a later date for close family. 

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.