of Vilonia, AR

August 28, 1938 - October 14, 2025

Sammye Lea Autrey Gordon passed away at her home in Vilonia, Arkansas, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, following a brief illness in which her children, grandchildren, and friends devoted all she needed through their care, love, and attention. Although we do not yet know the official cause of her death, she experienced rapid onset dementia over the last four months.

She was born August 28, 1938, in Conway, Arkansas, to the late James Clifton and Leah French Autrey, and was also preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Stanley Gordon, daughter-in-law, Melanie Gordon, and siblings: Jim Autrey, Pat Gordon, Eugene Autrey, Billy Autrey, Alice Williams, and Lloyd Autrey.

Her legacy continues through her son, Stanley Gordon Jr. and three daughters, Sandra Hedrick and husband Tom, Sue Shock and husband Steve, and Sharon Myers and husband Allan, all of Vilonia. She was a proud ''Granny'' to Caleb Shock and Danielle, Brandy Holland and Lonnie, Sara Beth Blair and Dan, Brett Hedrick, Seth Gordon and Abbie, Lydia Wallesch and Luke, Noah Myers and Suzie, Jedidiah Myers, Luke Gordon and Kelsey, and Hannah Valdez and Jacob. Additionally, she was blessed with fourteen great-grandchildren: Deacon Blair, Katherine Shock, Brier Holland, Leah Kate Blair, Dahlia Holland, Ellis Shock, Anna Beth Blair, Ava Lynn Blair, Weston Shock, Dace Gordon, Hattie Myers, Lainie Gordon, Eleanor Valdez and Mary Grace Myers. She is also survived by her siblings, Phil Autrey and Nancy Logan of Cabot, Janis Thompson of Bentonville, Tommy Autrey of Scott, and a dear cousin, Lora Lee Shewmake of Jacksonville.

Sammye was a Christian and attended Mars Hill church of Christ in Vilonia. She was generous with her support of various Christian ministries and charities, always ready to help where help was needed.

She grew up in the cotton fields of east Arkansas, was a high school basketball standout who went on to play for the All-American Red Heads, based in Caraway, Arkansas. This was a professional women's basketball team who played men's basketball teams with men's rules and won 70[%] of their games. Governor Orval Faubus once presented the team with a plaque denoting their status as ''Ambassadors of Goodwill for Arkansas'' and the players were eventually inducted into the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame and the Women's Sports Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mom taught us to be good stewards. She taught us to be responsible and to work hard. She was the best nurse when we were sick and loved to play board games with her children and then later with her grandchildren.

She supported Daddy in all his endeavors. Just to name a few, she ran his insurance office with abandon, never rode a horse but organized every road trip to all the horse shows they went to, canned vegetables galore from their garden, and tended sick animals on the farm - many in the middle of the den floor. She and Stanley also founded the Central States Peruvian Paso Horse Club because of their love of the breed.

Sammye was instrumental in the starting of the Vilonia Schools Band in the mid 70's, the Vilonia Booster Club, and was active with the PTO during her children's schooling. In 2023, Stanley and Sammye were honored by the City of Vilonia's Chamber of Commerce as the Outstanding Family of the Year.

The family would like to thank Trudy Collison again for stepping right back up to care for mom so soon after Daddy's passing. Her love and devotion make her one of us now. Thank you also to Mistie Cloninger, Superior Senior Care, and Gentiva Hospice Care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Southern Christian Home or Crowley's Ridge College.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com