Audrey Ann Greene

Audrey Ann Souther Greene, 67, died peacefully on Friday night, October 3, 2025 at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center in Asheville. Her family and friends imagine that once she stepped through the Pearly Gates, she went straight to choir rehearsal, stopping only to scoop up her beloved dog Libby on the way. Audrey was born May 14, 1958 in North Wilkesboro, NC, the first daughter of Edna Estelle Riddle Souther and Neil Wakefield Souther. Audrey graduated from Wilkes Central High School (1976) and Watt's Nursing School in Durham, NC (1978). Having completed her Diploma in Nursing at Watt's, Audrey transferred to Mars Hill University where she earned her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. While a student at MHU, Audrey worked as a nurse in the student health center; the stories she told from those years have loved ones laughing still. After college, she continued in the nursing profession, deriving great joy from her craft. At Asheville's Outpatient Surgery Center where Audrey spent the last years of her career, she exuded calm confidence as she lovingly cared for her patients. Nursing brought out Audrey's finest qualities; it was never just a job for her. It was her calling. Audrey married Larry Greene in Asheville, NC in 1984. Audrey, whose favorite color has always been green, loved to quip, "I kept trying to find a man to fall in love with whose last name was Greene so that I could have my favorite color as my last name!" Together, Audrey and Larry had two children, Anne, 31 and Alex, 33. Larry preceded Audrey in death when he died suddenly of heart failure in January 2001. Audrey has been a part of First Baptist of Asheville (FBCA) for decades. A member of the sanctuary choir, she delighted in singing everything from familiar hymns to challenging compositions. In the Mark Sunday school class Audrey found sacred community. The Mark class cares for each other as Jesus has taught followers to do and in the last ten years, Audrey has greatly benefitted from this generosity. She treasured these friends who became her extended family. If heaven has been designed with Audrey in mind, then she stepped through the veil onto Irish hills, lush and green. Brunch-served on fine china-is the first meal of the day and there's plenty to go around. Friends join her for afternoon tea, served with Biscoff cookies and Audrey's famous homemade cream cheese pound cake, still warm from the oven. In Audrey's heaven, the TV is tuned to the Hallmark channel as often as it is to The Great British Bake Off. The latest issue of Southern Living is on the coffee table and a brand new adult coloring book is waiting for her to break it in. Her nails are freshly polished, bright red lipstick tints her gorgeous smile, and hymns are playing in the background. Though Audrey is no doubt already meeting new friends and introducing them to those who met her at the gates, the loved ones she left behind will never stop missing her presence this side of heaven. A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 2:00 pm in the chapel of First Baptist Church. A reception will follow in the commons area. Audrey Greene is survived by son Alex Greene (Asheville, NC); daughter Anne Greene and son-in-law Eddie Arambula (Asheville, NC); mother, Edna Estelle Riddle Souther (Wilkesboro, NC); sister, Beverly Souther Hersey (Michael), and nephew, Landon Neil Hersey (Wilkesboro, NC). She is also survived by Rick and Kathy Hefner (Fletcher, NC), caregivers and dear friends; members of the Mark Sunday school class; and many other treasured friends. Audrey was preceded in death by husband, Larry Greene, and father, Neil Wakefield Souther. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Audrey Ann (Souther) Greene, please visit our floral store.