Melvin Eugene Shorty Auten

Obituary: Kannapolis - Melvin Eugene "Shorty" Auten, age 82, of 532 Eastway Avenue, died Friday, March 6, 2009 at CMC-NorthEast, Concord, NC after a period of declining health. He was born February 6, 1927 in Cabarrus County, NC, the son of late Clyde W. Auten and Rilla Burris Auten. He was employed with the former Cannon Mills Co. and Wiscassett Mills for 43 years and was a fixer in the spinning room. He was also a member of the former Royal Oaks Optimist Club. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by a son, Donald E. Auten; two brothers, Roy Auten and Edd Auten; and a sister, Faye Eudy. The funeral will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, March 9, 2009 at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Rev. Raymond Davis. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the residence. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Rena Sims Auten; two sons, Paul Auten and wife, Linda of Kannapolis, NC and Clyde Auten & wife, Jamie of Concord, NC; two daughters, Betty Auten Clay of Kannapolis, NC and Edith Sipes and husband, Larry of Salisbury, NC; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Peggy Poplin and Rachel Ritchie, both of Concord, NC, and Doris Clark of Kannapolis, NC Memorials may be made to Solid Rock Worship Center, 3000 Centergrove Road, Kannapolis, NC 28083.
Visitation: 6:00-9:00 P.M. Sunday, March 8, 2009 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:00 P.M. Monday, March 9, 2009 Whitley's Main Chapel

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park