Homegoing Services for Althea Austin will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2015 - 1:00pm at Rachel Missionary Baptist Church in Baxley, Georgia.

Althea Austin, age 55 of Norwalk, Connecticut departed this life on Saturday, February 28, 2015, in Jonesboro, Georgia. Althea Austin was born on July 5, 1959, to the late Mary Lou and the late John Austin.

Althea (a.k.a. RED) graduated from Brien McMahon High School in 1977. After graduation, she worked at K-Mart, and a teller at a local bank before moving to Baxley, Georgia in 1987. In Georgia, she worked at the Ero Industries in Hazlehurst, Georgia, and the Fleetwood Corporation in Baxley, Georgia.

Finding great joy in praising God, Althea was a member of Giving God The Praise Outreach Ministries, Baxley, Georgia, and served on the Usher Board. Althea enjoyed cooking, listening to music; (her favorite gospel song, “I Don’t Know Why I Have to Cry Sometime” and favorite R&B song, “Tyrone”), shopping, traveling, having her mani-pedi, watching Judge Mathis, Jeopardy, Price Is Right, Wheel of Fortune and COPS.

Anyone who knew Althea understood the relationship and special bond she had with her children, and the precious moments she shared with her grandchildren. Althea traveled between Connecticut, Georgia and Florida spending time and spoiling her grandchildren. In addition, Althea loved her family and friends, and praised them for the love they shared with her. Althea was one-of-kind with a caring soul and saw the good in everyone she met and never hesitated to help those in need. She had an infectious sense of humor so there was never a dull moment when she was around. Althea also had a victorious spirit so even in her darkest moments; she kept a positive attitude and made it through.

Althea leaves to cherish her memory, her mother, Mary Lou Austin of Norwalk, Connecticut; two daughters, Jamie S. Roberson and Ashlee “Cookie” S. Austin-Walker of Jonesboro, Georgia; a son, Clifton E. Austin (Eboni) of Jacksonville, Florida; six grandchildren, Alexcia of Norwalk, Connecticut, Ti’Zier, Unitee and Sania of Jonesboro, Georgia, Madisyn and Kaylee of Jacksonville, Florida; two sisters, Ann Austin and Elaine Austin (Raymond) of Norwalk, Connecticut; two brothers, Rayford “Tone” Austin (Carolyn) of Bridgeport, Connecticut and Gary Austin (Velma) of West Haven, Connecticut; godparents, Alvin Copeland and Annie Ruth Simpson of Baxley, Georgia, several loving and beautiful nieces and nephews, and a host of beloved sorrowing friends.

Althea will always be remembered for her brilliant smile, her giving heart and the ability to inspire others to put God first and follow their dreams. She will be missed by all that loved and knew her. We will always remember “RED” for her favorite phrases; GURL BYE, KEEP LIVIN’, I RECKON, and DEUCES.

Althea was predeceased by her father, John Austin.
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