Ernestine Mock Autry

Early Tuesday morning, September 27, 2022, Heaven paused and waited, angels held their breath, the divine music swelled, and James Autry, Jr. smiled in anticipation…as Ernestine Mock Autry took Jesus’ hand and was guided across the threshold into beauty, light, and eternity. On March 29, 1937, Jerry McReese Mock and Catherine Mock had no idea what an elegant, outspoken queen they had brought into the world. Alongside her brothers, Jerry Mock, Vergus Lee Mock, Edward Richards (Cynthia); and her sisters, Gwyndolyn Mock, Barbara Jean Goode, Mary Hudson (George), Dorothy Williamson (Wray) and Evelyn Cook (Gregory), Ernestine was educated and brought up under strict respect and the watchful eye of God. Raised in High Point, North Carolina, (Ernestina better known as Tina) attended William Penn High School and later Christ the King Catholic Church, where she studied to be a nun. However, determined in her spiritual devotion to nunhood, James Autry Jr. had other ideas for the lovely Tina. Born in houses beside each other on Leonard Street in their hometown, and meeting when they were just young pre-teens, the two would be inseparable for fifty years. Courting and ultimately marrying, James and Tina would have nine children: Kenneth Autry, James Autry, Stanley Autry, Michael Autry (Carmen), Patricia Bradley (Hezekiah Jr.), Jack Autry, Jacqueline Autry, Pamela Autry, and Tracey Robinson (Kenneth). Each unique and gifted in their own right, Tina nurtured her children to be strong, intelligent, and obedient. She followed her husband from High Point to Baltimore and then to Pennsylvania. But eventually, the two ended up back home. Devoted members of their church, avid travelers, and hopelessly in love, the two were tied to one another in fifty-five years of marital intimacy and friendship until James transitioned and received his crown. A devoted member of the Worldwide Church of God for fifty-six years until their close in 2010, Tina continued to be a faithful worshiper, attending church each week. She “cruised” her way into being one of the most outgoing, funny, and independent women you could ever meet. She loved to eat out, could do complex math in her head, and cooked meals that made you want to eat at her house every night. Dinner parties were her specialty, Christmas was her favorite, and one would find it nearly impossible to out-style her. She loved the color peach, eating out at new restaurants, scrapbooking, and Gaither music. Her children were fruitful and multiplied, blessing Tina with 46 grandchildren and 98 great-grandchildren. Left to cherish the memory of their elder sister are Vergus, Edward, Gwyndolyn, Barbara, and Dorothy. Left to cherish the memory of their sweet mommy are Patricia, Michael, Jack, Pamela, and Tracey. This church is filled with people who loved her and will miss her. Tina’s life was filled with loving on the people in this church, growing up with them, praying for them, sharing her kisses, arguing with them, forgiving them, and confiding in them. How sweet it was to have been included in her life.