Audrey Phyllis (Harding) Salas was born June 23, 1936, in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of William J. Harding and Vera C. (St. Clair) Harding. She graduated from Wayne State University in 1958 and began her long career as a teacher.
She married Air Force officer Fernando Salas, Jr. on November 29, 1963. After his military retirement in 1977, they moved to Boswell with their six children and became a ranching family.
Audrey earned a Master’s in Speech Pathology in 1979 from SOSU. She spent most of her career serving the students at Hugo Public Schools, and later came out of retirement to work at Durant Public Schools. She also served as the secretary of the Rural Water Board for 10 years.
Audrey was a high energy person and was always busy and active. She had an ability to read people that always amazed her children. Her children and friends loved her sense of humor. Audrey loved babies and children and was a very loving and affectionate mother and grandmother. She treated everyone she met with kindness and respect. Audrey could easily strike up a conversation with a stranger. Many times, strangers would tell her their life stories. She could not go anywhere without stopping to talk to multiple people. She will be missed by all who loved and knew her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fernando; and her brother, Bill Harding.
Audrey is survived by her sons, Paul Salas and wife Christine of San Diego, Calif., David Salas of Paris, Texas, Daniel Salas and wife Marissa of Allen, Texas, Mark Salas and wife Phyllis of Leavenworth, Kan., and Andrew Salas and wife Charlotte of Bennington, Okla.; daughter, Laura Tobia and husband Charles of Niceville, Fla.; sister-in-law, Terry Harding of Traverse City, Mich.; grandchildren: Jonathan Salas, Ashley Salas, Alex Salas, Eric Salas, Sean Salas, Peter Tobia, Gabriel Tobia, Andrew Tobia, Veronica Tobia, Thomas Salas, James Salas, Philip Salas, John Salas, and Mark Salas; along with numerous other relatives and friends.
Arrangements under the direction of Miller and Miller Funeral Home.
