and Rachel Hawkins. Australia was one of the youngest of her eighteen siblings. At
an early age, Australia gave her life to Christ and attended Pine Bluff Baptist Church
in Marshall, Texas. Australia completed her public-school education in Marshall,
Texas. In 1974, Australia received a Certification of Completion in Nurse Aid
Training from Houston Community College System in Houston, Texas, and worked
as a private-duty nurse until retirement in the early 1990’s.
Australia loved life and if you were given an opportunity to sit down to talk with
her, you would hear about fishing, gardening, and the importance of eating fresh
vegetables. Those that were fortunate enough to visit her home, would have felt as
though you were in the home of a Medical Physician. She loved reading medical
journals and would often refer to medical topics while conversing with you.
On August 16, 1952, Charlie Webb and Australia Hawkins gave birth to Linda
Dianne Hawkins. She was blessed to have many of her siblings by her side to support
her with raising her daughter. In 1967, Australia married Rufus Williams, in the city
of Los Angeles, California. Australia was blessed to embrace seven step-children
(Harold, Cynthia, Evelyn, Gregory, Debra, Sheffron, and Norman) but, you would
never hear her refer to them as step-children, because she believed in her heart that
they were her children as well. Rufus and Australia built their home together in
Longview, Texas and were married for forty-one years until God called him home in
2008.
Australia relocated to the Houston area in 2008 with her grandchildren and
great-granddaughter, Lloyd, Cicely, and Taylor Bailey. Australia became the
fourth member of the Bailey household and she held her place well as the family’s
matriarch. She later joined the Mt. Horem Baptist Church family and attended
church with her grandchildren until her health declined.
Australia is preceded in death by her husband, Rufus Williams, Daughter Linda
Dianne Avie, and grandson, Charles Edward O’Bryant Jr. Australia was a woman
who loved life and she leaves to cherish her life memories, Granddaughters, Ieisha
Hawkins Knight (Cleveland), Cicely Bailey (Lloyd), and Stacey Lynn Avie, Great
Granddaughters, Keunche Hawkins, Taylor Bailey, and Madison Joseph, Great
Grandsons, Aaven Knight and Tyler Joseph. Step-children, Harold Williams,
Cynthia Taylor, Evelyn Ball, Gregory Williams, Debra Parker, Sheffron Williams,
and Norman Williams. Australia also leaves to cherish her memories a host of family
members and friends. Australia’s memories will forever live on in our hearts.
