Lawrence Hugh Augh Autry Sr.
Mr. Lawrence Hugh Autry Sr. was born August 12, 1929, to the late Della McKinnon and Clevelle Autry in Holly Springs, MS. On February 13, 2023, he was called home to be with his Lord and Savior.
Lawrence confessed his love of Christ at an early age. He joined Anderson Chapel CME Church where he remained a faithful member and leader serving as trustee and Superintendent of Sunday School. Mr. Autry also represented the church serving as a delegate for numerous Annual and General Conferences, and additionally serving as the Lay Leader of the Northeast Mississippi Annual Conference.
Mr. Lawrence Autry Sr., went on to receive both his high school and college education from Mississippi Industrial College, and he completed graduate coursework at Tennessee State University. Prior to becoming an educator Lawrence served his country in the Military and spent time working in the Steel Mills of Cleveland, Ohio. Lawrence soon returned home from Ohio, where he would spend the remainder of his career serving his county as a devoted teacher and educational leader. Mr. Autry spent many years serving as the principal of Henry High School in Byhalia, Mississippi. Lawrence went on to become the first and only black Superintendent of Education for Marshall County School District. Lawrence Autry proudly served his community and the great state of Mississippi, having unwavering love and support for his teachers, students, and the community at large. Many of his conversations with family members, friends and loved ones, tell the stories of how passionate he was about the field of education. Upon Mr. Autry's retirement, he enjoyed serving as a member of the Marshall County Retired Educators Association.
Lawrence Autry Sr., lived his life as a servant, and his love, dedication, and commitment to his many endeavors made a tremendous difference in the lives of others. Mr. Autry never met strangers, and there was hardly anyone he encountered in Marshall County that he was unable to form a connection with. He was kind, humble, passionate, and always concerned about the well-being of others.
June 1, 1955, Lawrence married the love of his life Mrs. Irene Neely Autry, and to this union four children were born. Lawrence Autry lived his life playing a very active role in the lives of his wife, children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. Lawrence remained a constant presence in all their lives, never wanting to miss any milestone or accomplishment; his love was unconditional, free of judgment, and always gentle and kind.
Lawrence is preceded in death by his parents, Della McKinnon and Clevelle Autry; his son Lawrence Hugh Autry, Jr.; and his brothers, Presley Autry and Eugene (Bobby) Autry.
Lawrence leaves behind, to cherish his memories, his loving wife, Irene Neely Autry; two daughters, Dorothy Autry Cooper (Charles Cooper), Michelle Autry Conrad (Randy Conrad); and one son, Kenneth Autry; five grandchildren, Dr. Alina Michelle Autry Harges (Dr. Fletcher Harges), Charles Clayton Cooper (Marissa Cooper), Lauren Denise Autry, Kristen Ashley Autry, and Erin Nicole Cooper Carter (Darius Carter); sister Luller B. Ray; brother Billy Ray Autry (Katie Autry); 12 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews fondly known to him as Uncle Lawrence.
Services were held on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Anderson Chapel C.M.E. Church, 730 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Holly Springs, MS 38635. Arrangements were by Serenity Funeral Home.
paid obituary