Jayne Byrd Autry, born November 30, 1942, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025, at the age of 82. A life joyfully lived and dedicated to family, faith, and education, she was a blessing to and blessed by everyone she met.
Born and raised in the small town of York, Alabama, she attended the University of Montevallo, where her vibrant spirit and leadership were recognized by her peers when she was elected “Gold Leader” for the popular College Night event.
After graduating, Jayne moved to the “big city” of Birmingham, where she met the love of her life, Tom Autry, drawn at first to his red Corvette, and then to his infectious spirit. They were married within a year, on the day of the very first Super Bowl. Ever the spirited couple, they spent their honeymoon evening searching for a hotel with a color television to watch the game in style. Their happy marriage was a testament to their love and lasted until Tom’s passing in 2013.
Jayne and Tom were devoted members of Raleigh Avenue Baptist Church , where they made many life-long friends and faithfully served in the youth ministry. Later, they found a new church home at The Church at Brook Hills, where they made another cherished circle of friends.
Throughout her thirty-year career in education, Jayne was a source of care and guidance for generations of students. After beginning as a business teacher at John Carroll Catholic High School, she later transitioned into a role as a counselor, both at John Carroll and then at Pelham High School. Her commitment extended far beyond the classroom, as she dedicated her time to extracurriculars, serving as the yearbook sponsor, moderator for the high-stepper dance team, and a constant chaperone at student events. In 2004, she retired to fully embrace her most cherished role as a full-time grandmother and dedicated caregiver to her husband. She was known affectionately as “Cha Cha”, at first only to her granddaughters, and then to all.
Throughout her life she freely shared smiles, laughter, and compassion with everyone she encountered.
Jayne was preceded in death by her loving husband, Thomas Franklin Autry. She is survived by her two devoted daughters and their spouses: Kimberly Autry Hughes (Wayne Hughes) and Keely Autry Lancaster (Timothy Coughlin), and four granddaughters —Emma Hughes Jenkins (and her husband Cade Jenkins), Bess Louise Hughes, Ella Jayne Lancaster, and Margaret Deason-Coughlin.
A celebration of life will be planned in the coming weeks. Information will be provided at a later date.
