Our beloved Audray Vivian Andrews-Little, age 83, took her last breath on earth, ascending to her eternal home in heaven on August 2, 2023. She has been a resident of the Atlanta area since 2014. She left this world with no regrets having given it her all, leaving nothing in reserve. As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Audray was unparalleled. She lived her life as and was the consummate example of all that a mother should be. She epitomized grace, kindness, compassion, intelligence, love, decorum, and beauty.

Audray was born on May 26, 1940, in Macon, Mississippi. She was the eldest of 5 children born to George and Ruth Andrews. Her family moved to Chicago at a young age, where she spent her formative years in the Chicago public school system. She graduated from Hyde Park High School and began her post-secondary education after being accepted to the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) before going on to earn her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at San Francisco State University. Audray was always one to be there for not only her younger siblings but also for her cousins, who were raised alongside her as siblings.

Throughout her life, Audray lived, worked, and shared her gift of music as an accomplished organist and choir director at several churches while living in St. Paul, MN, and 40 years in San Jose, CA, where she worked for Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) in Silicon Valley, then returning to work in the library system for the City of San Jose before retiring in 2012.

Audray’s love for music was a significant and impactful force throughout her life. Audray’s first job was playing the organ at the age of 16 at Orleans Missionary Baptist Church. Her dedication to serving the Lord through music spanned over 65 years.

At an early age, Audray worked tirelessly in various roles within the community. After graduating high school, she worked for the Chicago Public Library system as a pioneer, paving the way for others in her family and community to gain employment in a field that was highly segregated during that time. From there, Audray went on to work for Harris Bank and served as their musician for their holiday choir. She also served in instrumental roles at the Urban League of Chicago, where she helped people in her community gain employment skills and provided valuable resources.

Audray has always kept busy laboring in her community, enduring to help others throughout her life. She was steadfast in helping support and inspire the children in her church community through her dedication to tutoring and piano lessons. She served on the board at many of the churches she attended. Audray served her San Jose, CA community through her work with the Solari Community Center and Seven Trees Public Library.

Throughout her career and extraordinary life, she remained committed to laboring in community settings focused on helping others in need. Her legacy has left an indelible mark of kindness, compassion, and indomitable strength, sharing her many gifts to be a remarkable beacon of light to all blessed to have crossed paths with her. Besides her love for music, Audray’s other artistic interests included drawing, crocheting, jigsaw puzzles, Rubik’s cubes, Sudoku, and line dancing.

Audray was preceded in death by her parents, George and Ruth Andrews, and her younger sisters, Yolondar Andrews, Sherrie Andrews-Gainer, and Joyce Andrews. Audray leaves behind to carry on her legacy three loving daughters, Michelle Battle (Nate), Dr. Donya Little, PH.D., and Allegra Andrews. In addition to her children, Audray is survived by five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; brother Clyde Andrews, Sister-in-law Darlene Andrews; sister-cousin Eunice Baldwin-Barksdale, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and friends.

Georgia Cremation in Duluth, GA is assisting the family with arrangements.