Audrey Thorpe

Audrey Thorpe was born in Youngstown, Ohio on December 7, 1924 to Frank Sledge and Gladys Richardson. She graduated from Cecil Township High School in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in 1943.

Audrey went on to Cosmetology School where she learned to do hair. She worked in beauty shops and at home doing all the ladies hair in her neighborhood. Audrey also sang in a Gospel Choir that toured all over the country. The famous Gospel Singer, Mahalia Jackson, tried to recruit her. Audrey later married Linwood Thorpe on June 26, 1955. She worked for the Bell Telephone Company in 1965 and retired from the C&P Telephone Company in 1992 after 27 years of service. During her time as a C&P long distance operator, Audrey received many awards and acclamations. Her most notable acclamations for her service as an operator came from movie stars such as John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jr., and Joan Crawford.

Although Audrey had many accomplishments, her real passion was her children. She raised them to love each other, to be close to one another and to be there for one another no matter what. That love and closeness is instilled in all of them. That love and closeness has never been more obvious than in the sacrifice that Francine has made, by giving up her job, and taking care of her mother 365/24/7 for the past 4 years. Audrey showed signs of dementia 5 years ago and fought the disease through all 7 stages. Audrey succumbed to the disease along with gangrene, diabetes, and vascular disease early in the afternoon on Saturday, June 16th.  Audrey loved the Lord and was a Christian; therefore, will live again without pain in heaven with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

During her life, Audrey enjoyed singing, cooking, family visitations, playing family games, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Sledge and Gladys Brown; three sisters; Marva, Beverly, and Patricia Russell, and three brothers; Edward, Walter, and Wallace a.k.a Pete Russell.

Audrey is survived by two sisters Carol Alleyne and Illse Russell; six brothers Carl, David, Herbert, Jerry, Jim, and Merritt Russell; two daughters Francine and Gladys Sledge; three sons, Benjamin, Jason, and Reginald Thorpe; eight grandchildren, Chauncey Blair, Brandon, Carmen, Jamar, Jennifer, and Reginald II Thorpe, Regina Nsbuga and Eric Dyson; nine great-grandchildren, Brookland, Chiara, Dallas, Julian Thorpe, Reagan and Richelle Nsbuga, Tatianna, Gabriana and Christopher Blair; and many others, such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

Relatives and friends may call Saturday June 23, 10-11 A.M. at Colesville Baptist Church, 13100 Andrew Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20904 (map/directions), where services will be held at 11 A.M.  Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery (map/directions). Arrangements by Cole Funeral Services, P.A.

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