Martha Marie Austin

and there will no longer be any death; there

will no longer be any mourning, or crying,

or pain; the first things have passed away.”

Revelations 21:4

Martha Marie Austin, age 101, died at her home in Arlington, TX, on July 25, 2014,

from natural causes.

Born March 26, 1913, in Pickering, Missouri, to Willie Alva Harbison and Bessie Annice Wilson, she was one of two children. Her younger brother Jessie Forest Harbison preceded her in death. She married the love of her life, Truman Park Austin, on February 27, 1932, and spent nearly 66 years in marriage before he passed away on December 19, 1997.

Marie desired to live every day for the glory of God and chose to spend her life being a content wife and mother. In 1963, she began selling Avon where she accomplished many sales goals and received thirteen Ms. Albee President Club awards. For thirty-seven years, she loyally served her customers and made many friends as her love for The Lord, and compassion for others, showed brightly. There were even occasions where she would assist her customers by graciously holding their checks for a week or two until they could afford to pay for their orders.

In recent times, an exciting day for Marie was her 100th birthday party. Along with friends and family members, Arlington mayor, Robert Cluck came to celebrate her century of life. She was grateful that he took the time to acknowledge her 100th birthday, and she missed seeing him on her 101st.

Marie found complete enjoyment in reading the Bible, listening to preachers and Gospel music, and serving The Lord in her quiet way by letting God’s Light shine through her while serving her family and her customers.

Survivors include her sons, Gene Dale and Billy Dean Austin of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and her daughter, Mary Ruth Austin of Arlington, Texas, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation - 6pm on Monday, July 28, 2014; Funeral – 10am on Tuesday, July 29, 2014, at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 N. Davis Dr. Interment - Parkdale Cemetery, 701 S. Mary St.

Our family would like to especially thank all the people who served, cared for, visited, and read the Bible to Marie in her final years, and we want to share her favorite chorus:

Shut in with God in a secret place,

There in the Spirit, beholding His face,

Gaining new power to run in this race,

Oh, how I love to be shut in with God.

She is now in the arms of God