MOUNT AIRY, NC ~ Mrs. Audrey Virginia Smart Vernon, 79, of 2327 Pipers Gap Road, Mount Airy, widow of Mr. Wayne Vernon, passed away Monday, Aug. 15, 2005, at Northern Hospital of Surry County.

Mrs. Vernon was born in Patrick County on May 28, 1926, to the late Clarender and Mamie Williams Smart.

She was a retired nurse and was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church.

Surviving is four sons and daughter-in-law: Edward Vernon of Mount Airy, Thedford Vernon of Boonville, Donald and Susan Vernon of Mocksville, and Randall Vernon of Rural Hall; five grandchildren: Holly Vernon of Galax, Va., Kristie Pristas of Winston-Salem, Eric Vernon of Charlotte, and Matthew Vernon and Danielle Vernon, both of Rural Hall; a great-granddaughter; four sisters: Gaye Browne of Mount Airy, Emma Joy Hicks of Butner, Gloria Martin of Bassett, Va., and Carol Sutphin of Meadows of Dan, Va.; and six brothers: Nathan Smart of Dublin, Va., Kernie Smart of Martinsville, Va., Elzie Smart of Spencer, Va., Kirby Smart of Sandy Ridge, Va., Dillard Smart of Meadows of Dan, and Robin Smart of Patrick Springs, Va.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Vernon was preceded in death by two brothers: Soanie Smart and Darst Smart.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Jimmy McCraw and the Rev. Bud Cameron officiating. Burial will follow in New Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy.

The Vernon family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to special caregivers Linda Surratt, Ethelene Arrington, Constance Blevins, and Mecie Pack.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to New Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Opal McCraw, 2085 Old Pipers Gap Road, Cana, VA 24317.

(Winston-Salem Journal (NC) ~ August 16, 2005)

~ Married Wiley Wayne Vernon on June 16, 1949, in High Point, Guilford County, N.C.