Audrey Phelps Riddick

Audrey Phelps Riddick, 100, of Durham, North Carolina passed away on May 13, 2026 at Eno Pointe Assisted Living in Durham. She was born in Bertie County, North Carolina on September 11, 1925, to the late Raleigh Grant Phelps and Pearl Hughes Phelps.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, James T. Riddick, Jr.; her daughter, Priscilla Trotter; her brothers, Graham and Brinkley Phelps, and her sisters, Garnette Williford, Annie Pearl White, and Alma Johnson.

She is survived by her son, James “Jim” Riddick III (Carol) of Cary; her daughter, Sherrill Riddick of Durham; her sister, Miriam White; her grandchildren, James Riddick IV (Erin), Matthew Riddick (Mary), Steven Trotter, Jr., and Maxim Trotter; and her great-grandchildren Emma Riddick, Harper Riddick, and Blair Riddick.

Audrey's love of family filled her life. She loved playing the piano. She played at weekend family gatherings and for decades she was the pianist for Union Methodist Church near Ahoskie, NC.

She read voraciously all her life until macular degeneration took its toll.

Gardening with her husband Jake, and cooking and baking with her cookie tester Jake were big in her life - special birthday cakes, Christmas cakes, tins of cookies and candies, her special collards, pimento cheese.

She worked for many years as a secretary, the last 20 or so years as office manager at Suburban Propane Gas Co. in Ahoskie, NC.

She moved to Durham, NC, in 2012 to be near family, and found Massey's Chapel United Methodist Church. She fell in love with it and the people there.

She loved the simple things in life. She loved sitting with family and friends, and receiving letters from friends.

She lived her faith.

She will be remembered for always putting others first. She lived her last ten months at Eno Point Assisted Living, where she was cared for by loving individuals who each brought their own special way of caring for her. They loved her, and she loved them. 

A small family gathering will take place.