Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 27, 1994 TAG: 9402280199
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
OBIT WHITLOCK, AUDREY LONG
WHITLOCK, Audrey Long, of Roanoke, passed away, Thursday, February 24,
1994, she was called to the City of Eternal Peace. The daughter of Professor
and Mrs. Anna Lee (Patterson) Long, she was born in Christiansburg, Va. on
January 11, 1905. Her early education was at Christiansburg Institute. She
later attended Knoxville College and Howard University. After receiving a
Teacher's certificate, she became an affiliated teacher of the Oxford
Extension School of Piano Playing, in New York City in 1945. In the late
1930's she became the organist and choir director at the Fifth Avenue United
Presbyterian Church and although she retired in the early 1970's she continued
to serve in this capacity whenever there was an absence of organist or choir
director through 1993. She was a piano teacher and gave many young students
their start on musical careers. An Opereta written by Mrs. Whitlock and her
sister, Nerissa Milton, entitled "THE DEVIL IS A BUSY MAN" was staged and
produced six times between 1969 and 1975. She has received numerous plaques of
appreciation for her outstanding leadership and dedicated service in Roanoke.
In 1986, Mrs. Whitlock was not only acclaimed for writing the theme song for
the stage production of "HENRY STREET", but also for her role as grandmother
in the production. She also performed in "MEMBER OF THE WEDDING." Her artistic
talents have been exhibited at Harrison Heritage; local hospitals, Roanoke
City Schools and numerous places of cultural interest throughout the City. She
is survived by her devoted husband, David S. Whitlock; two sons, David S.
Whitlock, Jr., who recently retired as an attorney for the State of New York
and Edgar A. Whitlock who is a retiree from the Veterans Administration,
Roanoke; daughter-in-law, Margaret Whitlock, Roanoke; seven grandchildren,
Shirley W. Gunn, Roanoke, Linda Whitlock, Alexandria, Va., Wanda Burch, Tampa,
Fla., Warren Whitlock, Brooklyn, N.Y., Marlene Peterson, Tampa, Fla., Quay
Whitlock and Kendal Whitlock, New York, N.Y.; four great-grandchildren, Shanta
Carter, Tampa, Fla., Tamika Gunn and Edward (Trey) Gunn both of Roanoke and
Michael Peterson, Tampa, Fla.; great-granddaughter, Arnisha Carter, Tampa,
Fla.; brother-in-law, Leonard Helms, Washington, D.C.; cousins, Verdell
Turner, Cheaspeake, Va., Richard Patterson, Vernon Patterson, Charles
Patterson all of Portsmouth, other cousins, relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 1, 1994, 3 p.m. at the Fifth
Avenue United Presbyterian Church, Dr. Vernie Bolden officiating with burial
in Williams Memorial Park. Friends may call on the family on Monday from 7 to
8 p.m. at theHamlar-Curtis Chapel.
by CNB