Born in Cleveland, OH, Melinda was the oldest child of the late William Richard and Emma Lou Austin. She was a 1971 graduate of Maplewood High School and in the same month married the love of her life, Franz Morse. Together they built a family that included their daughter, Stephanie Smith, her husband Allen, and their precious grandson, Jacob. All recently celebrated Franz and Melinda’s 50th wedding anniversary in June.
Melinda was known to many as a successful realtor with Howard Hanna Real Estate. She was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses who dearly loved her family and was so excited when they moved to South Carolina to be near them. She enjoyed gardening and flowers and was an avid birdwatcher, especially the daily battles among the hummingbirds. She adored her canine companions, Chiquita and Toby, who were faithfully at her side when the days were long and hard. She was the solid foundation of this family, and her legacy will live on forever in us.
In addition to her immediate family, Melinda is also survived by her siblings, Barbara Switzer, Janice Kauffman and William “Frank” Austin. She was preceded in death by her brother, Denzil Austin.
Per her wishes there will not be any services.
If you like to help others in honor of Melinda, please make contributions to: Pickens County Humane Society, PO Box 83, Liberty, SC 29657; or to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, visit www.donate.jw.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeycenturydrive.com for the Morse family.
