Audrey Lee Withers

Audrey Lee Withers, aged 100 years, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of November 26, 2025, in Kuna Idaho, lovingly attended by her daughter, Terrey Withers, and granddaughter, Julie Withers.
Born Audrey Lee Baughman on October 21, 1925, in Oakland California, she was the daughter of Frank F. Baughman Sr. and Frances Baughman (Ahlin). Her parents divorced during her early childhood, and she moved to San Diego with her mother and, later, her stepfather E.C. “Jack” Jackson. Her brother, Frank F. Baughman Jr., was raised by his father and stepmother, Beth, in Oakland, but the two became reacquainted in their late teens. Frank recently passed away at the age of 97, having been a longtime resident of Martinez, California.
Audrey graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1953 and was a majorette in the marching band, as well as belonged to the Sigma Kappa sorority, which her granddaughter, Emily, also joined decades later. She also took some acting classes and was friends with noted actress Marian Ross of Happy Days fame. In addition, and still with a bit of the acting bug, she appeared on and won the title of Queen for A Day on the TV game show of the same name.
Later in 1953 she married navy veteran Bob M. Withers, Sr. She began her teaching career with a first-grade class at Magnolia Elementary School in El Cajon. The two were transferred by the navy to Honolulu, Hawaii, where she again taught first grade to students who often attended school barefooted. In 1956 they were transferred back to San Diego where they began raising their four children: Bob M. Withers Jr., twins Brent and Breck, and daughter, Terrey. Bob’s navy career then took them to Long Beach, California, and subsequently to the San Francisco Bay area where she taught first grade at Dublin Elementary, where her four children also attended.
The family moved back to San Diego in the mid-1960s following Bob’s retirement from the navy. Audrey again taught elementary school for several years in the 1960s, before staying at home to focus on raising their children. After residing for several years in La Mesa and Lakeside, they resided for over 40 years in El Cajon, where they had many friends and neighbors.
In their later years, the couple traveled to Europe, made a return trip to Hawaii, and enjoyed occasional weekend trips to Las Vegas. They also found great joy in attending their grandchildren’s various sports and school activities and taking them on fun day trips.
After Bob’s passing in 2012, Audrey remained in El Cajon for many years before moving to Petaluma, California, to live with her daughter, Terrey, and be near her son, Breck, and his wife, Sally. In 2023 Audrey and Terrey relocated to Kuna, Idaho, to be near her son, Bob, and his wife Ann.
Audrey always had a sweet tooth and particularly enjoyed See’s candy. In her later years, when queried “Mom, what did you have for breakfast?” the reply was often “Pumpkin pie, that’s good for you isn’t it?” Another favorite pastime was watching reruns of Gunsmoke and other Western themed TV shows. She really enjoyed seeing her favorite actors, and bit-part characters who would go on to become stars in their own right.
Audrey is survived by her four children: Sons, Bob (wife Ann), Breck (wife Sally), Brent (wife Kathy), and daughter Terrey, along with her three grandchildren; Luke (wife Elissa), Emily Roberts (husband Frank), and Julie Withers, as well as Luke and Elissa’s three children Sophia, Brant, and Alden. She is also survived by her beloved sister-in-law, Mitzi Hansen of Portland, Oregon, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends and neighbors.
A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025, at El Camino Memorial Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, with interment immediately following.