of Mountain View, AR

March 9, 1937 - January 30, 2020

Audrey Grace Gilliam, 82, of Mountain View, Arkansas passed away on January 30, 2020 at the Waters of Mountain View. Audrey was born on March 9, 1937 in Kansas City, Missouri to the late Charles Raymond and Grace Darling (Forsythe) Lawrence. Audrey was a well-loved fixture of the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, Arkansas for more than 30 years. Audrey worked with many well-known musicians in Stone County as well as other parts of the county. In addition to her music Audrey decorated the Ozark Folk Center with her beautiful crafts including origami and brought joy to many with her music. Audrey's music and crafts brought her much joy throughout her life. Among her many accomplishments were playing at Six Flags over Texas for six years with the music group Here Comes Treble, she played at the Ozark Folk Center for over 20 years and every music venue in the area including John Taylor's Laid Back Pickin Barn. In addition to her music Audrey worked at the Ozark Folk Center for over 20 years, which included working in the print shop among many other places there. She worked welcoming visitors to the Folk Center and taught many people how to play the bucket bass. She taught origami to children in various workshops and decorated the Folk Center Christmas tree in the auditorium with her impressive origami figures. She displayed her crafts at the library numerous times, and not only recorded multiple music cassettes, but five CD's and published a crafting book. She was a much beloved artist who will be greatly missed by all of her loving family and friends.

Audrey is survived by her beloved significant other of 17 years, Jim Kunkel; one brother, Robert Lawrence; several nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Dave Kunkel and special nephew, DJ Kunkel as well as many friends from the Ozark Folk Center who she blessed with her crafts, music, and friendship.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Raymond and Grace Darling (Forsythe) Lawrence; two brothers, James Lawrence and Ross Lawrence, and one sister, Mary Scovoronski.

Jim wrote this about Audrey: Her church was her garden where she loved working among the flowers and vegetables; along with her music and crafts they brought peace to her life. She enjoyed working with the many fine musicians of the area, Bob Massago, Albee Tellone, Gresham McMillon, Roger Fountain, Joe Jewell, Leonard J. Clark, Billy Martin, Deeann Gillespie, Tim Crouch, Bob Murphy, Kathy Jensen, and Clancy Ferguson just to name a few. I entered her life 17 years ago and together we found love along with a friendship that was strong as well as delightful; we vowed to care for each other to the very end, so I will say once again, I love you Audrey and always shall, goodbye my love.

A memorial service for Audrey will take place at a later date.

Roller Crouch Funeral Home in Mountain View, Arkansas is in charge of the arrangements.

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