Audra June Freeman Matheny

Audra June Matheny traveled from this life into the arms of her Savior leaving behind a family full of people to forever cherish her memory. We don’t cry for her—we rejoice in the blessing that she was to everyone who knew and loved her. Cherished wife of Kencel (Pete) Matheny with almost 70 years of marriage behind them, Audra ended her earthly journey on October 29, 2025 and changed her address from Coburns Creek to the splendors of heaven.

Audra was born on June 12, 1936 to the late Charles J. and Hattie Freeman in Doddridge County, West Virginia. Audra graduated from Doddridge County High School before setting off for Clarksburg where she worked at Empire Bank. In true Audra fashion she walked into the bank and asked Cecil Highland if she could work in his bank. It was during this time that a dashing young gas station attendant piqued her interest, leading to many trips to that station to buy gas (that she probably didn’t need). She allowed Pete Matheny to catch her, and a lifelong love affair was begun.

Audra and Pete began their married life on April 28, 1956 when they eloped to Redhouse, Maryland. They enjoyed several years of marriage before welcoming their beloved children Kendra Kay (husband Rick Cumpston) and Loren Kencel (wife Sherri Russell) to their family along with her chosen family Paula Gawthrop Bond, Vance and Nancy Gawthrop and Cheryl Gawthrop Ferrari. They lived on Davison Run and Flag Run before finally settling on Coburns Creek where they have owned and operated Breezy Knoll Farm for the past 55 years.

Their family has grown over the years to include adored grandchildren, Colby Cumpston (wife Chantelle), Derek Cumpston (wife Kora) and Logan Matheny (wife McKenzie). It wasn’t long until the great-grands began to come: Ally Marie Cumpston, Iyla Nicole Cumpston and Everly Marie Matheny. There were no in-laws in Audra’s world, simply sons, daughters and grandkids.

Family was everything to Audra and if you spent any time at all with her you quickly became family. She loved people and they loved her right back. In addition to humans, Audra had a soft spot for every kind of animal which made her an exceptional farmer’s wife…something she had never planned to be. The wide variety of pets—cats, dogs, bunnies, birds, geese, chickens, goats, sheep and even a raccoon—brought her such joy. And, no pet was going hungry on her watch as she could be seen every morning flying down the road between her house and her grandson’s with a backseat full of food, water and treats to feed his animals.

While her devotion to home and family never wavered, Audra also was very active in the community. She was a member of the Central Church of Christ where she enjoyed going to Bible Study and church services. She served as a Bible Study Teacher for the preschool aged kids when her own children were young. She was a long-time member of the Coburns Creek CEOS, the West Virginia Farm Bureau and she served on the Harrison County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee.

Audra, Pete and their family developed rich friendships with so many people in the farming community, sharing their farming expertise with others and enjoying the opportunity to travel all over the country together as part of the West Virginia Cattlemen’s Association.

Audra may not have set out in life to be a farmer’s wife, but she sure did make an excellent one. Many calves were nurtured in the warmth of her kitchen right alongside of Kendra, Loren and the wide array of neighborhood children. She wore many hats over her 89 years: daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend—she loved with all her heart and she was loved in return by all who knew her.

Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison St, Nutter Fort on Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, where a funeral service will be held on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 10:00 am with Pastor Kevin Lough presiding. Interment will follow in the Bridgeport Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com. A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.