Audrey Jane Shadburn, formerly of Hurricane, WV, died on May 22, 2026 at The Village at Riverview in Barboursville, WV, after a lengthy illness.
She was born January 24, 1938, in Friendship, MD, the daughter of the Rev. E. Mack Thomasson, a deceased West Virginia Methodist Conference clergy member, and his wife, the late Amy King Thomasson.
Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. John Henry Shadburn, in 2001. Also, preceding her in death were three brothers and two sisters. As the last surviving member of her family of origin, she is survived by a few nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Growing up in Methodist parsonages, she attended Milton Junior High School, where she was a cheerleader and played the French Horn in the band. Audrey graduated from Huntington East High School in 1956 and earned her elementary education degree from Marshall University in 1959, completing her studies in three years. She was active in the Alpha Chi Omega sorority at Marshall and participated in many alumnae events. Along with her husband, she was a dedicated fan of Marshall football and basketball. She taught elementary school in Cabell, Wood, and Kanawha Counties for a decade. An accomplished pianist and organist, she worked from a young age as a church musician in Cabell County, WV. She served as the organist at St. John's Episcopal Church in Huntington for several years in the early 1960s.
Audrey married Rev. John Henry Shadburn of Huntington in 1963. Serving in the ministry for over 40 years, they lived in Holden, Clarksburg, Parkersburg, South Charleston, Charleston, and retired in Teays Valley. She traveled with her husband for 12 years throughout the United States as stewardship consultants of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, raising funds for church-building and ministry projects. After they retired from the General Board of Global Ministries in 1991, she served as a guest organist at numerous local churches in the Kanawha Valley.
In 2002, she started working as the Assistant Organist at Christ Church United Methodist in Charleston and retired in 2021. She was a longtime member of the Kanawha Chapter, Guild of American Organists, and the United Methodist Fellowship of Music and Arts. Audrey was also part of the Sanctuary Choir at Christ Church, traveling with them to numerous music conferences and a special choir tour to England.
At her request, a graveside service will be held in the chapel of Graceland Memorial Park, 100 Graceland Circle, South Charleston, located off Corridor G (US 119 South) at Ruthdale Road, on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Ellis Conley presiding.
Wallace Funeral Home of Barboursville is assisting with arrangements.
Appreciation is extended to the staff of The Village at Riverview in Barboursville for their compassionate and attentive care.
Memorial contributions in Audrey’s memory may be made to the Rev. John Henry and Audrey J. Shadburn Music Ministries Trust, The United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia, P.O. Box 3811, Charleston, WV, 25338.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace.
