Audrey Abshire Smith

New Castle...Audrey M. (Abshire) Smith, 78, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Monday, October 28, 2002, while living at the Waters Convalescent Center in Henry County Memorial Hospital. She had bravely battled brain cancer and received loving care from the staff of The Waters and Henry County Memorial Hospital Hospice.She was born May 25, 1924 in Bristol, England, United Kingdom, the daughter of Elizabeth and Arthur Cornelius Godsell. She will be fondly remembered by her cousin; Ray (Dorothy) Godsell and other nieces and nephews living in England.She had been a faithful member of the Teapot Club, who were War Brides from the U.K., a sisterhood that has endured for over 57 years. The Teapot Club began when local soldiers returned to Henry County after the war to raise their families. The members have gone through a number of life stresses together and have found that the loss of one of their own is the hardest to bear.She was a custodian at Shenandoah High School at it's grand opening in 1968 and worked there until May of 1986. She was a member of the American Legion Post #152 of Knightstown.She enjoyed knitting baby sweaters and caps and was a volunteer from RSVP where she had knitted hundreds of caps for newborns at Henry County Hospital. Her greatest passion was for her family and friends.Survivors include her husband of 16 years: Ernest Smith of New Castle, 3 daughters: Elizabeth (Duane) Kern of New CAstle, Dianna Troxell of Kokomo and Gail (Larry) Bertram of New Castle, Sons: Stephen (Stephenie) Abshire of Middletown and Don (Ruby) Smith of New Castle, Grandchildren: Daniel Bertram of New Castle, Chris Kern of Fishers, Karla Kern of Westfield, Jeff (Michelle) Kern of Cincinnati, Michael Abshire(Clarissa) of Anderson, Jennifer Abshire of Indianapolis, Daniel Abshire of Springport, Charr Tinch (Ronnie) of Middletown, Eric Guilkey (Heidi) of Norfolk, VA, Eli Smith of New Castle, Mia (Andy) Hicks of Kokomo, Michelle Pierson of New Castle, Kimberly Sparks and Brandon Smith of Muncie, Asha Carpenter of Kokomo, Greatgrandchildren: Isaiah and Jonah Kern of Cincinnati, Michael Abshire, Jr. and Mason Skylar Abshire of Anderson, Jackson Heath of Indianapolis, Hannah Gonyea of Oakto, MD, Heidi Gonyea of Kokomo, Max Pierson of New Castle, Taylor Sparks of Muncie, Whitney Hicks of Kokomo, Alayna Abshire of Springport, Clara Guilkey of Norfolk, VA, Ashly, Alexis, and Bailey Tinch of Middletown.Also sister-in-laws: Rosetta Abshire of Anderson and Nola Winkler of Middletown, and Elberta McMillen of Taylor Mills, KY, brother-in-law: Elmer (Jewel) Smith of Deltona, FL, and several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her first husband Fred Abshire.Funeral services will be held on Friday afternoon at 2:00 PM at Ballard and Sons Funeral Home, 118 South 5th, Middletown, with Rev. Chuck Bell, Fran Bullock, and Linda Philbaun officiating.Burial will follow in Miller Cemetery.Friends may call on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-9 PM.Memorial contributions may be made to the Audrey Abshire Smith Scholarship Fund through Dollars for Scholars or Westminister Community Centery.Online Guestbook available at: www.ballardandsons.com