Autherine Tarleton's Obituary
Autherine “Sugar” Tarleton went home to be with the Lord on August 19, 2015 at home in the presence of her family after a valiant battle with liver cancer, She was 79 years old. Autherine was born in Mobile, Alabama on September 5, 1935 to Arthur L. Williams and Murl L. Dial. She is one of eight children, the girls-Pearlie Williams, Corine, Jones, Murlean Asberry and Toni Williams. The boys – Arthur L. Williams Jr., Twins Donald Williams and Donnie Ray Williams.
When Aurtherine was a small child she would follow her father everywhere, for which he nicknamed her “Shot”. After some time the family also gave her the nickname “Sugar”. As a young woman Autherine worked with her aunts caring for many of her relatives and friends. This led her to become a Vocational Nurse. In 1966 she moved with her then husband Carl F. Blackledge and kids to Sacramento, California; after the closure of Brookley Field Air Force Base in Mobile, AL. In Sacramento, she earned a degree in Nursing and continued her Nursing career for the next 30 years while raising her children. She also volunteered and served as a nurse’s Asst. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. Even though she was motivated and driven she enjoyed several hobbies. She was a great cook, enjoyed crafts, sewing, gardening and organization. Upon retiring from the University of California Davis Hospital in 1990 she continued working nights as an in-home care specialist. It was during this time she changed her career and became a Loan Officer for the Mutual Assistance Program of Del Paso Heights.
Autherine was a great joy and we will miss her presence in so many ways… her ability to entertain and bring people together, quick wit, humor, smiles, laughter and special touch was a blessing to witness. She truly knew the meaning of hard work, friendship, love and most important… she was very good at mothering. She often shared with many of her patients, friends and love ones her unbelievable giant heart and caring nature. She had southern charm and a well-polished vocabulary and personality. Autherine truly was one of the extraordinary young mothers that relocated from Mobile, Alabama and settled in North Sacramento. These women meant so much to their families and in many ways helped shaped the communities of Strawberry Manor/ Del Paso Heights during the 60’s and 70’s. She is preceded in death by her father, mother, her sister Pearlie, brother Arthur L. Williams, Jr. and other relatives. She is survived by her children Denise Alexander, Anthony Roberts and Carla Shulz (David), Her grandchildren are Andrew Tarleton, Natasha McKinney (William), Milissa Shulz, Tatyana Shulz and Ian Shulz. And great grandchildren Hasani Tarleon, Izellow Tarleton, Tyler Tarleton, Darrell Habbit Jr. and William McKinney, Jr. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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