Millicent Hammonds Autry

On Good Friday in the early evening, God dispensed his angels to Mom’s bedside at Inova Medical Campus in Fairfax, Virginia, and took our precious loved one on to Glory.

The memory lingers still. A place is vacant in our home, which never can be filled. And God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes. And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying. Neither shall there be more pain for the former things are passed away.

Our Queen Millicent Autry was adorned with her crown on April 15, 2022, at age 83.

Millicent was born to Rayfield and Lillie Thelma Hammonds on May 16, 1938, in Cumberland County North Carolina. Millicent joined Dove Chapel AME Zion Church at an early age and served for approximately 70-plus years. As a child, she spent much of her time working on the farm with her family members. She also shared the responsibilities of caring for her 5 younger siblings, due to her mother’s health. Millicent enjoyed participating in church youth activities and singing in the Bladen Central Glee Club Choir. She graduated from Bladen Central High School in 1957 and continued various courses at Bladen Community College.

Millicent met Luther Willard Autry at an early age, and they married on May 18, 1957. To this union, four children were born Jennifer, Willard Jeffery, Tracy, and Dessie and they were raised in White Lake, NC.

In addition to being a dedicated and loving wife and mother, she enjoyed gardening, and attending the Colly Extension Community Club meetings and various Bible Study Groups (St Peters AME Zion and Mt Elam Missionary Baptist Church). Upon relocation to Fort Washington, MD she attended El Bethel Baptist Church, Reverend Doctor James Dixon Jr. Throughout her life she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those around her.

She is survived by her four children: Jennifer Autry, Ft. Washington, MD; Willard J. (Gail), Ft. Washington, MD; Tracy A. Turner (Glenn), Evanston, IL; Dessie R. Howard (Alonzo), Reisterstown, MD; five grandchildren: Barry Anderson, Maurice Montgomery, Willard Jeffery Autry, III, Julian Howard, Jordane’ Howard and four great-grandchildren; three sisters: Louise Robinson (Philadelphia, PA); Paulette Jones, (Fort Washington, MD); and Emma Haire, (Fayetteville, NC); two brothers: Cary Hammonds (Thelma), Elizabethtown NC; and John Franklin Hammonds (Laura, deceased), Fayetteville NC. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 P.M. (noon) on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Dove Chapel AME Zion Church, 10350 Turnbull Rd., Fayetteville, NC 28312. Burial will follow in the Autry Cemetery, Johnsontown Rd., Elizabethtown, NC

The family will receive friends on Friday, April 22, 2022, from 4:30 P.M.-7:30 P.M. at Carter Funeral Home in Garland.

Services are provided by Carter Funeral Home, Garland. www.carterfh.com.