Audra K. Piner The Purple Lady'', 92, graduated into Heaven on Saturday, November 6, 2010 from Morrison Woods Health Campus in Muncie. She was born on November 27, 1917 in Van Buren, IN to the late Walter A. and Edyth M. (Howard) Strickler. Audra is a 1935 graduate of Center High School in Perry Township at the top of her class. On June 23, 1936 she married her love, Raymond Eugene Piner in Muncie.
Audra was co-owner of Piner Floor Covering from 1948--1963. She was a remarkable positive force in her community holding many leadership roles in the International Order of Job''s Daughters; the Order of the Eastern Star; The White Shrine; the Order of Amaranth; the Social Order of Beauceant; the American Business Woman''s Association (ABWA); and Phi Sigma Alpha to name a few. Her life was spent promoting mission work locally and abroad in leadership positions with the Muncie Mission, Wayside Mission, Habitat for Humanity, the Pastoral Counseling Center, Christian Ministries, and through conference, district, and local responsibilities with the Gethsemane United Methodist Church. She was a certified lay speaker and gave numerous programs on missions for groups in our community and throughout Indiana. She traveled through all 50 states and in over 60 countries. Those who knew Audra found her to be positive, energetic, and ready to be the first one to step foot on the bus for excursions, field trips, and mystery trips. Even at 92 catching fish at Prairie Creek Reservoir. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and her caretakers at Morrison Woods.
Audra is survived by her 3 children: Stephen D. Piner (wife, Mary Ann) of FL; Janet Beemer (husband, Chet) of FL; and Darlene K. Dyke (husband, Tim) of NC; New Zealand daughter'' Pamela Tankersly; 4 sisters: Sally Brumback; Madge Ellcessor (husband, Emerson); Phyllis Ellcessor (husband, Paul), all of Muncie; and Violet Felton (husband, Robert), of Mooreland; 4 grandchildren: Scott Piner (wife, Cheryl); Chandra Jordan; Tashalee Newport; and Amy Steverson; 10 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Audra was preceded in death by her parents; husband Raymond Piner of 49 years; son Charles Eugene Piner; younger brother Buddy; and 3 sisters: Vera Rankin, Thelma Ford, and Marjorie York.
Her Celebration of Graduation will be on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 N. State Rd. 3, Muncie as well as one hour prior to the funeral service at Gethsemane UMC on Thursday. Audra will be honored with a Certificate of Graduation as well as having a balloon release on her behalf. Various fraternal organizations will also pay respect to one of their own. The funeral service will be at Gethsemane United Methodist Church in Muncie at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 11, 2010. Reverends Vickie Perkins, David Maish, and Mark Ellcessor will officiate the service.
Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Gethsemane UMC, the Wayside Mission, the Muncie Mission, and/or Job''s Daughter''s Hike Foundation. If you would like to sign the online guest book and send condolences to the family, you may do so by visiting www.gardenviewandgardensofmemory.com.