Marion Eugenia Austin

Marion Eugenia (Darsey) Austin, 86 years of age, died in her home in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Wednesday, July 12, 2017. She had been surrounded by her family as her angels escorted her home to Jesus. Her death came 22 days after her husband, Carl, passed into the eternal realm. On the eve of their wedding 65 years prior, and amidst the pain of death, we saw a smile on her face in communication with another realm, and knew that her husband was walking with her through her final moments and welcoming her home. Marion was born to Henry Lavonia Darsey, a Ford mechanic, and Marion Eliza (Mathis) Darsey, a hospital ward clerk, in Natchez, Mississippi. At the age of six she moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she was raised along the mighty Mississippi River under the lushness of giant trees draped in Spanish moss, the songs of egrets, pelicans and bluebirds, and the graciousness and beauty of the Deep South.

Marion lived through the Great Depression and World War II, and was part of America’s Greatest Generation. She was a telephone operator for Southern Bell until her marriage to the love of her life, Carl E. Austin on July 13, 1952. She devoted her life to being a wife, a mother and a homemaker. Wherever she lived was the embodiment of love and home. She raised two daughters with Carl and brought them up embraced by the love of family, schooled in southern charm and manners and with an abiding faith in Jesus Christ.She was a kind and generous spirit, never uttering a bad word. She would always find a way to say “thank you” and “please” even in the face of the rudeness or impatience of others. She raised her girls in Girl Scouting. She was a camp leader, director, trail builder and hiker. She remained in scouting long after her children were grown. She was a tole painter and her creations remain with her family for generations to come. Marion was an avid gardener and passed down her love and knowledge of trees and flowers to her daughters. She loved all things Christmas. She is survived by her daughter, Laura Austin Thomas and son-in-law, George Thomas of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Her grandchildren are Darci Anne Thomas of Oklahoma City and Alexandra Faith Thomas of Stillwater, Oklahoma. She is survived by her beloved brother and sisters, Jack and Jessie Darsey of Slaughter, Louisiana, Shirley (Darsey) and Johnny O’Connor of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Linda (Darsey) and Dr. Wayne Sparks of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was predeceased in death by her husband, Carl and her daughter, Pamela Sue Austin. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 18th, 2017 from 1:00 pm until the service begins at 2:00 pm at Greenoaks Funeral Home at 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Reverend Tommy French Jr. will officiate. Marion will be buried next to her husband, Carl and daughter, Pamela, amid the pines, dogwoods, azaleas and oaks, a place of her own choosing. The family wishes to thank the very special people in her life that took such good care of her, aides Martha Campbell, Chelbi Schafer and Erica Thomas, as well as Good Shepherd Hospice. Their loving care was a great comfort to her and us. In lieu of flowers please donate to the hospice of your choice as they are invaluable to those taking this journey home to Jesus.