Helen Austin

“ Her children shall call her blessed…a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”, Proverbs 31. These words sum up the life of Helen Austin who went to be with the Lord January 3, 2012. Helen Morgan was born October 5, 1912 in Dry Bayou, Missouri to Robert and Pearl Morgan. In 1920 the family, including two younger sisters and one brother, moved to Oklahoma following the oil boom. They moved several times, ending up in Seminole, where Helen finished high school. She married Earl Austin shortly after her high school graduation in 1929; it lasted 57 years until his death in 1986. She brought her children up in the First Baptist Church in Seminole and was actively involved in youth programs. She taught Sunday school until the age of 86. She loved all activities surrounding food, and her home was always a welcome gathering place for family and friends. Helen and Earl were active and respected in Seminole, where Earl was a businessman and civic leader, serving on the City Council. She spent her time nurturing and instilling values in her four children. Even though she had been unable to attend college, her love of books and learning influenced them to attend Oklahoma A & M/ OSU, and all received college degrees. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the lights of her life. After living in Miami, Oklahoma and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 2000 after the death of husband Earl and son Robert, she moved to Dallas to live with daughter Mary Anne and granddaughter Melissa Miller where she lived until her death at age 99. She was preceded in death by sisters Nadine and Louise and brother R.J., her husband Earl and son Robert. She is survived by her daughter Nancy and husband Gil Crook of Tehachapi, California, daughter Mary Anne Smiley of Dallas, Texas, and son Earl Austin and wife Patricia of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday, January 6, 2012 at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave. Seminole, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma   Funeral Information: January 6, 2012, 2:00 PM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave., Seminole, OK 74868