Marylue Audas

Marylue Audas, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, "Aunt Moo," friend to many, and loved by all, passed peacefully on February 14, 2025. She was born on November 2, 1936, to W.C. "Speck" and Juanita Watson. She graduated from Gladewater High School in 1955, and soon after attended Kilgore College, where she was a Rangerette. Marylue went on to earn her Bachelor's degree from North Texas University. In 1958, she married Donald Gene Audas, and together they raised two daughters. Marylue later founded the Marylue Audas School of Dance, where she shared her love for the arts with many children. She also had a fulfilling career as a second-grade teacher for more than 20 years with Gladewater Independent School District, continuing to positively shape the lives of young students. A true pillar of her community, Marylue lived to serve the Lord. She devoted many years to teaching Sunday School at First Baptist Church in Gladewater, Texas. She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Audas Thornton; grandchildren, Trent Sasser, Derek Smith and wife Shauna, Todd Thornton and wife Shawna, Tammy Howell and husband Billy; great-grandchildren, Creed Whitten Sasser, Owen Smith, Lee Smith, Rylee Wills and husband Dakota, Parker Thornton, Kyndall Thornton, and James Howell; great-great-grandsons, Shepherd Wills and Beckham Wills; son-in-law Joe David Smith; niece and nephew, Heather Black Nelson and Spencer Black; brother-in-law George Black; great-nieces and nephews, Karsyn Wilbur, Sumner Black, Shuler Black, and Sinclair Black; great-great nieces and nephews, Anistyn, Adalyn, Ardyn Wilbur, and Sawyer Black; and special caregiver, Stacy Christine. Marylue was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald Audas; parents, W.C. "Speck" and Juanita Watson; sister, Donna Black; daughter, Donalyn Smith; granddaughter, Whitney Sasser; and son-in-law, Joe Thornton. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Croley Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on February 20, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. A service will take place on February 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater, Texas. In honor of Marylue’s legacy, donations can be made to the Back Pack Program for Gladewater Independent School District. This program provides food each weekend to more than 150 children in the community. Donations can be sent to **First Methodist Church of Gladewater, P.O. Box 1167, Gladewater, TX 75647**.