Carmen Austin

Our beloved mother, Carmen Austin, passed away surrounded by immediate family Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at St. David’s Hospital North in Austin, TX. Born Carmen Raye Pace March 8, 1938 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the only child of Raymond Theodore Pace and Gladys Axley Pace. Carmen graduated from Atchison High School in 1957 and followed with studies at Northeastern Oklahoma State and The University of Texas at Austin.

In 1960 Carmen married James Emery Mayfield (deceased) of Waco, TX. They moved to Austin and began building their family. Carmen is survived by daughter Gina Mayfield and her wife Chris Cahill; son James Michael (Mike) Mayfield; Aunt Jeanne Pace-Woodall; many cousins and extended family as well as countless friends.

Before her retirement from the State of Texas, Carmen worked at a variety of administrative positions. Her favorite among them was as administrative assistant for State Rep. Matt Garcia (D).

Carmen was a devoted mother and traveled often with her family. She adored travel and loved experiencing new places. She never met a stranger, making new friends everywhere she went. Her favorite things were dining out, travel, enjoying the company of her children, her many friends and the companionship of her two cats.

Carmen’s smile was contagious. She was witty and charming with a zest for life and loved to entertain. And entertaining she was! Carmen could be found in the center of any group of people regaling them with her lively stories. On Saturday mornings it was common to see Carmen holding court at Curras, Polvos or any number of other wonderful Austin eateries with groups that included family, old friends, new friends and even the occasional former Austin dignitary.

For the last several years Carmen was a member of the BACA Senior Center Writing Club in Round Rock, TX, where she made many friends and contributed content to several published short story books.

Carmen was laid to rest near her parents on Saturday, February 2, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Muskogee, OK. A Celebration of Life is set for Sunday, February 10, at her daughter’s home in Austin, TX.

Carmen lives on in our hearts and in the stories we share. One of Carmen’s favorite poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox sums it up quite well, “Laugh and the world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone...for the sad old earth must borrow its mirth and has troubles enough of its own.”