Audrey’s life journey ended on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Sundale Nursing Home. Audrey (Chisler) Berkshire Boyd, 90, was born Aug. 9, 1930, to the late Orval Chisler and Thelma Josephine (McElroy) Chisler. Audrey was raised by her late grandmother, Stella Chisler, due to her mother’s passing shortly after her birth.
Audrey was married 37 years to Robert Arthur Berkshire and resided in Morgantown, where they raised their six children until Robert’s passing in 1984. Audrey moved to Ashland, Ky. in 1985 where she married Gary Lynn Boyd. After Gary’s passing in 2013, she moved back to Morgantown to be closer to her family.
Audrey worked for 25 years as a food service supervisor at WVU Arnold Dining Hall and Montgomery Ward Cafeteria, but she worked hardest at raising her children and providing for her family. During tough times, she canned homegrown vegetables and fruit, baked from scratch bread and pies, prepared homemade meals, jams and jelly to help stretch the family budget. Audrey was an independent, strong-willed, hard working woman. She lived her life with purpose by teaching her children the importance of working hard, to be honest and to always give 100% in everything they set out to do.
Audrey always seemed to be the happiest when working with her hands. Her greatest accomplishment was being a self-taught, master seamstress. Her sewing accomplishments included band uniforms, wedding dresses, formal gowns, choir robes and clothing alterations. She also loved to make crafts, hand woven baskets and quilts, for which she received many first place awards that recognized her superior talents.
Audrey was a long-time member of Fairview United Methodist Church on the Grafton Road in Morgantown. During her residency in Kentucky, she attended Advance Memorial United Methodist Church, was a member of the Greenup County Extension Homemaker’s Association, assisted with Meals on Wheels and was a member of the Advance United Methodist Women’s Group and Bible Study Group.
Audrey’s life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: Danny Berkshire (Debbie, deceased), of Morgantown, Larry Berkshire (Candis), of Star City, Sandra Campbell (Roy), of Morgantown, Gary Berkshire (Nicki), of Wadestown, Nancy Marshall (James), of Bruceton Mills, and Cheryl Petrisin (Ray), of Morgantown; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law and best friend, Dorothy Mohl, of Lebanon, Pa., and her neighbor in Ashland, Ky., Ethel Dixon, whom she considered part of her family.
In addition to her parents, grandmother and husbands, Audrey was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Debbie Berkshire, and her friend and confidant, Betty Kuhn.
The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to the staff at Evergreen Assisted Living, Sundale Nursing Home and Morgantown Hospice an Amedisys Partner for their care and compassion. Audrey may have lost her battle against Alzheimer’s Disease, but she never lost her strength to keep fighting. Those who wish to donate in Audrey’s memory can do so by sending their contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1299 Pineview Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505.
Friends and family may gather at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, from noon, Sunday, July 11, until the time of the service at 2 p.m. with Pastor Audria Thomason officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
