Audrey (Cox) Vailes

Audrey (Cox) Vailes, 83, a resident of Fishersville, VA, passed away Friday, March 1, 2024 at Augusta Health.  She was born October 5, 1940 in Rockbridge County, VA, a daughter of the late Frank Blair Cox and Marrell (Blackwell) Cox.

Audrey started her successful career as a star basketball player and valedictorian of her 1958 Brownsburg HS class. From there she started a family of 4 children and balanced a career at Crompton Corduroy Textiles in Waynesboro. From there Audrey and her husband Ralph opened a successful Western Auto retail business in Stuart's Draft, Va.  Upon retiring, they moved to Florida to enjoy many years of avid golf and softball. In their last years, Audrey and Ralph settled in Fishersville to enjoy family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband and soul mate, Charles Ralph Vailes.  Surviving are her children, Rick Benson and wife Yong, Lorri (Benson) Tobin and husband Mike, Jan (Benson) Brenneman and husband Maury, and Reverend Dr. Randy Benson; step-children, Janet Vailes, Chuck Vailes and wife Lisa, Robert Vailes and wife Terri; 12 grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; brothers Carl and George Cox; and sister, Pauline Patteson.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Thursday, March 7, 2024 at McDow Funeral Home.  Inurnment will be private.