Mollie Rose Autry Molnar, 90, passed away Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, from a short illness and complications from strokes. She was the second child of Lucile Sullivan Autry and L.H. Autry, Sr. She was born in the rural agricultural area of Burdette, in Northeast Arkansas in 1931. Her father was superintendent of the Burdette School System and a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. Her mother was a teacher and librarian, who finished her husband’s term in office after being elected to the House of Representatives too. Mollie was taught to serve others and educate right from the beginning. Mollie attended Arkansas State University for her undergraduate degree. She was a majorette and a member of the AOII Sorority. She went on to receive her Doctorate of Music Education from the University of Texas. She always enjoyed calling Arkansas relatives collect when Texas beat the Razorbacks and Arkansas family did the same when the Hogs beat Texas, in those days it was not very often. She worked in music education in public schools for many years and was a professor at Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State University) in Springfield, Mo. She finished her career as head of the music Department there. She played an important role in instructing and mentoring many students over the years.

In addition to devoting her life to education, she also loved directing the choir at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Springfield. She was also active in her church leadership as an…