Audrey McLaughlin Chestnut, 81, died April 27, 2008 at Druid City Hospital, Tuscaloosa, AL following an extended illness. Prior to moving to Tuscaloosa to live near her daughter and her family, she lived in Silas, AL.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Oliver Chestnut; her parents Louise McLaughlin Taylor and Mitford McLaughlin and infant daughter Patsy.

She is survived by her daughter Bobbie Chestnut Singley (Jimmy) of Tuscaloosa; her son Powe Chestnut (Sam) of Columbus, MS; six grandchildren, Melissa Lawrence (Russell), John Singley (Shay), Julie Grogan (Rickey), Kineta Gillot (David), Kerry Chestnut, Kimberly Stover (Jarrod), twelve great grandchildren; her sister Evelyn Adams (Grady); nieces Charlotte Harbison (Doyle), Christie Freda (Carl) and nephew Scott Crocker (Renae).

The funeral will be held at 11:00am Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at Black Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Tommy Campbell officiating with burial in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers are John Singley, Russell Lawrence, Rickey Grogan, Russ Lawrence, Luke Lawrence and Justin Harbison.

Honorary pallbearers are Arthur Walsh, Cecil Taylor, Jim Taylor, Hamilton Chestnut, John and Margaret Taylor, Bill and Ann Dooley, Hugh and Linda Pinkerton, Grady Adams, Malcom Utsey, James Utsey, Bessie Hill, Norris Hill, Esther Singley, J.L. Philan, Wendylon Osborne, and the Silas Voluntary Fire Department.

In 1991, she was selected as the Choctaw County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. She was instrumental in developing Baldon Springs State Park and the Silas Volunteer Fire Department. She was the Silas Citizen of the Year in 2001-2002 and a active member of Black Creek Baptist Church.

Bumpers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.