November 9, 1961 - July 26, 2012 NORMAN Funeral services for Mrs. Vicki Faye Autry, age 50, of Norman, Oklahoma, will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 1, 2012, at Journey Church, 3801 Journey Parkway in Norman, with Reverend Mark Aduddell and Reverend Alan Sample officiating. Vicki was born November 9, 1961, in Oklahoma City, the daughter of Donald and Judy (Roberts) Dunn. She passed away Thursday evening, July 26, 2012, in her home, surrounded by her family, after battling breast cancer for more than four years. Vicki was raised in Moore, Oklahoma, attending Moore Public Schools. She entered college at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma, before transferring to the University of Oklahoma, where she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1988. Vicki was united in marriage to Mr. Eddie Autry on October 23, 1991, in Norman, Oklahoma. Vicki and Eddie have made their home in Norman since then, raising their three beautiful children, Elizabeth, Alex, and Ashleigh. Vicki began her teaching career at Solomon Schechter Private Jewish School in Oklahoma City. She later transferred to the Moore Public School System in 1990, where she taught first and second grade for more than 19 years. After her breast cancer diagnosis, Vicki had to retire from teaching in 2009, ending a teaching career she so passionately loved. Before retiring, Vicki earned the honor of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. Vicki simply loved children and thoroughly enjoyed teaching and mentoring them. She had a heart for others that was uncommonly found, always lending a hand or sharing her bright and beautiful smile that only she could do. She was a warrior in her fight to beat her disease, never giving up. She wanted nothing more than to be heeled and grow old with her husband, Eddie, and experience the joy of continuing to be involved with her children's lives. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 reads, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." Even though Vicki would not have chosen this ending of her life, she was at peace with it, accepting the will of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Vicki is now reunited with her mother, Judy Dunn, whom she lost when she was only eight years old, when the airplane carrying her mom and the Wichita State University football team went down eight miles west of Silver Plume, Colorado, on October 2, 1970. When Vicki wasn't in the classroom, she enjoyed doing arts and crafts with Elizabeth, Alex and Ashleigh and working in her yard and flower gardens. Vicki also enjoyed spending time with her two Akita dogs, Kuma and Coco, grooming and loving on them. Vicki was a major force in her children's lives, supporting them in their own endeavors. The Autry family enjoyed spending time together, laughing, joking and experiencing all the joy that a family can. They especially loved spending time in Estes Park, Colorado, and just simply being together.Vicki was a member of Journey Church of Norman. Survivors include the love of her life, Eddie Autry, of the home; her three children: Elizabeth Roberts of Oklahoma City; Alex Autry of the home; and Ashleigh Autry of the home; her father, Don Dunn and his wife Gwen of Oklahoma City; one brother, Dr. Gary Dunn and his wife Denise of Oklahoma City; one sister, Lisa Keating and her husband Steve of Montgomery, Texas; three stepsisters: Kelly Coleman and her husband Mark of Oklahoma City; Stacey Scheffler and her husband Marc of Pensacola, Florida; and Kim Lucas of Oklahoma City. In addition to her mother, Vicki was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents. Arrangements for Vicki and her family were placed in the care of the Vice family at the Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman. Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com A private family burial will conclude at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Oklahoma City. www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com

.Published in The Oklahoman on July 29, 2012