Molly Walden was born Molly Sue Love to parents Lucien and Sue (Coleman) Love in Coleman, Texas on September 24, 1956. She had one older brother, Clay Love. She attended Coleman public schools and graduated in 1975 from Coleman High. Molly passed away on Saturday, November 6, 2021, following a hard fought battle against stage IV brain and lung metastases.
Molly was born and raised in Coleman and lived on College Avenue for most of her childhood. It was not unusual to see a little girl with bright red hair flying by on her bicycle to meet up with friends at the dime store. If she wasn’t on her bike, she could be found riding in the back of her father’s truck heading to the ranch. She owned a front loader BB gun and claimed to be a bit of a tomboy. She was always a sweet and good-natured little girl with a penchant for mischief. One time, she got mad at her older brother, Clay, and fed him wet dog food on crackers telling him it was deviled ham. It’s unclear if either of them learned a lesson. As she got older, she traded in riding bikes for Patty Duke and Petula Clark records. She was active with Girl Scouts and loved attending the annual Coleman Cousins reunion at Hords Creek Lake.
Molly married Brett Alan Autry of Coleman in 1974. They had three children: Joshua Alan Autry who passed away as an infant, Leah Alaine Autry, and Evan Alan Autry.
Molly worked at Coleman Elementary for many years where she made some of her best friends. She moved to Fort Worth in 2002 and earned a Paralegal Degree from Tarrant County College. She continued her career in public education at the Region XI Education Service Center and retired from there in 2018.
Molly remarried Glenn Walden in 2007 and they moved to Coleman after her retirement in 2018. Molly and Glenn loved doing everything together, including traveling, working in the yard, eating Tex-Mex and drinking margaritas, and spending time with family. More than anything, Molly loved being a grandmother. She had four grandchildren and was affectionately known as Yaya. Molly and her family always rented a house with a pool for the Fourth of July and spent their vacation swimming and celebrating. Yaya never missed a holiday or a birthday and always made each grandchild feel loved.
Survivors, in addition to her husband, Glenn, include her brother Clay and wife Sherrie of Talpa, nephew Cole Love of Talpa, daughter Leah and husband George Biddle of Little Elm, son Evan and wife Lindsey Autry of Austin, grandchildren Alaine Love Biddle and Rhett Autry Biddle of Little Elm, and Cameron Lynn Autry and Crew Alan Autry of Austin.
Molly is preceded in death by her son, Joshua Alan Autry, former spouse and father of her children, Brett Alan Autry, and her father and mother, Lucien and Sue Love.
A farewell party will be held at RLV Winery,on Tuesday, November 9th, in downtown Coleman from 4:00PM-6:00PM. All family and friends are welcome to attend.
Family and friends can purchase flower arrangements for the party by calling the Petal Patch in Coleman at 325-625-2109. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the Coleman County Humane Society or the Coleman Senior Center/Meals on Wheels, in honor of Molly.