Doris F. Austin

Doris F Austin, age 87, of Winder, GA passed away on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Doris was born in Hendersonville, NC to the late Ralph Woodrow and Margie Virginia Nix Freeman. She was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Edneyville, NC, attended First Christian Church in Winder for over 30 years, and had attended Chapel Christian Church in Winder for the past 10 years. Doris grew up working in the family apple orchard. She had a 42 year career in the medical field as a lab technician. She was employed with Dr. William MacNew in Winder as a lab technician. Doris loved history and was a voracious reader who would read entire novels in two or three days.

In addition to her parents, Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Earnest "Howard' Austin who served as Barrow County Sheriff. She was also preceded in death by her son, Earnest Howard "Ernie" Austin, Jr.; her sister, Mildred Freeman; her brother, Charles Freeman; and her grand-daughter, Katie Austin.

Doris is survived by her son Timothy Lamar "Tim" (Penny) Austin; siblings: Donnie (Wayne) Pittillo, Shirley Cunningham, and Vera (Talmadge) Penland; sister-in-law, Zeneda Freeman; grandchildren: Lee Austin, Joshua (Kelly) Austin, Timothy "TJ" (Kaylie) Austin, and Caseigh Austin; and five great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held Thursday, August 21, 2025 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Smith Funeral Home, 755 Atlanta Hwy SE, Winder, Georgia. A graveside funeral service will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 11:00 am at Barrow Memorial Gardens, with Rev. Cheryl Cloar officiating.