Audrey Elizabeth Teague-Coston, beloved daughter of the late Junious McKinley Teague and Louise Rebecca Bailey Teague, was born on July 23, 1948 in Onancock, Virginia. She transitioned from labor to reward on November 29, 2020 at Shore Health & Rehab Center in Parksley, Virginia.
Audrey, affectionately known as “IJ,” was educated in the public schools of Accomack County and was a 1966 graduate of Mary N. Smith High School. In December 1990, she received an Associate of Applied Science from the Commonwealth College in Virginia Beach. She entered the workforce at Perdue Farms and worked there for many years before relocating to Virginia Beach in the 1980s. While in Virginia Beach, she worked for Berg Legal Clinic as an office manager until her health began to fail. In July 2015, she returned to the Shore after being diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), which hindered her ability to speak and move her limbs. In spite of her illness, she always remained a happy and jolly person with an infectious smile until the very end.
At an early age, “IJ” accepted Christ and joined Snead’s Memorial United Methodist Church in Keller, Virginia. When she moved to Virginia Beach, she became a member of Bayside Baptist Church. Upon her return to the Eastern Shore, she re-established her faith with Snead’s Memorial United Methodist Church until her health failed.
“IJ” met and later married the love of her life, James Coston, on May 17, 1997, who preceded her in death.
In her leisure, “IJ” enjoyed playing games on her iPad, solving crossword puzzles, and watching her favorite TV shows: NCIS, Criminal Minds, CSI, Law & Order, football, Ellen DeGeneres and the CBS News. She was always delighted to dine and hang out with family and friends. Other pastimes included: reading the Bible, Quotes of the Day, and listening to gospel music. “IJ” loved to feast on her favorite foods, lemon meringue pie, candied yams, and tuna fish. She also loved coffee, but she would go through a 32 oz. container of French Vanilla creamer in a week.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Ronnie and Francis; and
four sisters, Fannie, Renell, Josephine, and Shirley.
“IJ” is survived by one sister, Louise Teague-Allen of Bear, DE; one brother, Dinel Teague of Felton, DE; eight nieces, Terry Giddens, Shelia Bailey, Amanda Beach, Wanda, Wise, Australia Harmon, Danielle Teague, Dawn Teague, and Jenna Allen; four nephews, Ray Teague, Francis M Bunting, Robert L. Allen, Jr., and Jestin Allen; one brother-in-law, Robert L. Allen, Sr. of Bear, DE; two sisters-in-law, Ruth Teague and Cynthia Teague of Felton, DE; one aunt, Polly Parker; lifelong school mate and friend, Bernice Toppin White; a dear and close friend, Ardena Jordan; dedicated caregivers until the end, Leah and Bobby Trader; and a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.