Tommie Helms Austin-Young

Tommie Lu Helms was born on April 7, 1946, in Wingate, NC, to Thomas Curtis & Betty Davis Helms. After graduating from Forest Hills High School in 1964, she graduated from Wingate College (now Wingate University) and then attended one year at Campbell. On September 2, 1967, she married her childhood sweetheart, Michael “Mike” Austin, who earned a degree in Experimental Statistics from North Carolina State University and then served in the US Army, taking him to Vietnam in 1969. Following her marriage to Mike, they moved to Raleigh, NC, where Mike worked while studying Computer Science at the University of North Carolina. They then moved to Maryland while Mike worked at Aberdeen Proving Ground, and their son Brian was born there in 1972. They returned to Raleigh, where Mike completed a graduate degree in Operations Research at NC State in 1974. Their son Keith was born in Greenville, NC, in 1976, after which they returned to Raleigh and raised their family together until Mike tragically passed away in 1992.

Tommie enjoyed a short time as a bookkeeper at the Angus Barn and many other companies while living in Raleigh. She spent time as a stay-at-home mom while her boys were young, then pursued training for a career as a Neuromuscular Pain Therapist. In 1996, Tommie married Jim Young and, a few years later, opened her own clinic, Trinity Neuromuscular Pain Clinic. At the time of their marriage, Jim was serving as the sports chaplain for the NC State Athletic teams. They ministered for a number of years together, and Tommie was called upon often to help with the muscular healing of NC State athletes. It was not unusual to see many of these athletes having meals and Bible studies together at the Young residence. Later on, while Jim was serving as President of Capitol Commission, and currently as President Emeritus, Tommie enthusiastically encouraged and partnered with him.

Tommie’s great joy in life, second only to her love for Jesus and her family, was her love for all people. She had an insatiable hunger for God’s Word and loved sharing it with others. For many years, she was an active member and leader of Bible studies that included BSF and Morning Glory “Overcomers” group. Even near the end of her life, she attended her study via her transporter with her oxygen attached.

Tommie’s infectious joy and energy overflowed to others. This was most evident when hosting in her home, where she could plan a holiday gathering or throw an impromptu feast together at a moment’s notice. Her generosity and love were evident in so many ways, particularly in any opportunity to celebrate by bringing people together. Tommie loved making annual scrapbooks for her grandchildren. She enjoyed sports, games and competition, and was a great athlete, setting scoring records for her high school basketball team. Tommie and Jim traveled together often, visiting places such as Hawaii, the Cayman Islands, many state parks, and trips to Disney World with the grandkids. At home, she loved spending time on her back porch watching the birds and feeding the deer.

Tommie is survived by her loving husband of 29 years, Jim Young of Raleigh; her sons Brian (April) and Keith (Heather Coats) Austin, of Wilmington; two beloved grandchildren, Hayden & Oscar Austin; sisters Betty Helms & Barbara Howe; Jim’s children, loved by Tommie, include Howard (Lisa), Chuck (Lisa), Pedro, Kirsten (Bill), 10 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

Tommie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Mike Austin and her younger brother Ed Helms. Tommie’s older sister Mary Ann Campbell tragically passed the morning after her.

Some of Tommie’s favorite verses are as follows:

“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” - Psalm 16:8

“But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.” - Psalm 59:16

Service Information:

Visitation:

Thursday, 10/30 from 6:00-9:00pm

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

1701 E Millbrook Rd, Raleigh NC 27609

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Funeral:

Friday, 10/31 at 10:00am

The King’s Chapel (previously Christ Baptist)

400 Newton Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615

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Graveside/Burial:

Graveside will follow in Wake Forest after the church service ends.

Pine Forest Memorial: 770 Stadium Dr, Wake Forest, NC 27587

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In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations near and dear to Tommie’s heart.

Capitol Commission

Attn: National Mission Support

2600 Fairview Rd.

Raleigh, NC 27608

Memo line: Tommie Austin-Young Memorial

https://capitolcom.org/donate/

Or:

Written check sent to:

Harvest of Jubilee

7421 S. Lawrence

Tacoma, WA 98409

Memo line: ShowLove Orphanage; Tommie Austin-Young Memorial

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