LaDedra S. Austin

De received her early education at Oaklandon Elementary and Craig Middle School, where she learned to play the viola and made numerous lifelong friendships. De graduated from Lawrence North High School in 2001, where her love for her signature blond hair and brightly decorated nails flourished in the cosmetology program.

LaDedra also played the viola in the orchestra and participated in the gospel choir, Eternal Voices of Praise, traveling to numerous churches and schools to praise God. She later received her associate’s degree from Vincennes University in 2003.

Dedra’s intense love for children led her to Mary Bryant Elementary and Brook Park Elementary. Here, she worked as a dedicated teaching assistant, where she motivated, uplifted, encouraged, and provided support and love to one of her favorite groups of people: kids! In these settings, De set an amazing example to everyone around her on how to shower children with knowledge, respect, love, and LAUGHTER!

De later became certified in phlebotomy and began working at Grifols Plasma in 2013. She moved through various roles over the years, including Donor Screener, Plasma Processing, and Donor Center Specialist. In 2018, she was promoted to Quality Associate, which she held until 2021. De’s infectious spirit helped her build meaningful relationships with her regulars.

In 2021, she changed careers, becoming a Claims Aversion Analyst at Sallie Mae until 2025.

In July 2014, De met her life partner, Quarie “Q” Myhand. Dedra and Q bonded over their love for good food, humor, and a variety of television series they would never finish. The one show they both loved was Game of Thrones, which they deemed “The Greatest Show Ever”.

Always known as creative, LaDedra created Ijoba by De in 2017. She would spend hours making amazing body butters, candles, and fragrances that were in high demand among family and friends.

When she wasn’t keeping her hands busy, Dedra could be found curled up with her fur babies, Diva and Meesha, while reading or watching shows like The Golden Girls, Martin, Living Single, The Office, and Mayor of Kingstown. De loved bowling, cooking, spending time doing her “old lady hobby” crocheting, taking care of her houseplants, or scrolling on her phone in search of a good laugh.

De had a love for all genres of music, but would smile, sing, and dance as soon as an old school R&B song began to play.

She was at her happiest among family and friends, especially her mom and dad. De looked forward to trips to the farmers’ market, plant shops, and the next travel destination with her mom, who lovingly called her Lucy, as well as long phone calls and dinner with her dad over laughs. She had an especially soft spot for her aunts, whom she called her extra moms, and her younger cousins, whom she had cared for since their birth.

LaDedra has always been known as a comedian; her quick wit and love of laughter bonded her with everyone and made her the person everyone loved to be around. Dedra found humor in everything and used it to get her through some of her toughest battles.

Also known as a foodie, De was everyone’s favorite eating buddy. Whenever she was asked what she would like to eat, she would always respond, “All of it.” She would try almost anything, claiming, “You never know what you like if you don’t try it!”

Described as an old spirit, De would often reminisce about some of her favorite childhood memories. She cherished her family trips to Kentucky, picking greens with her grandmother at Waterman’s Farm, her upbringing on College Avenue, and her Paw Paw frying shrimp for her, despite his shellfish allergy!

LaDedra departed this life on July 21, 2026, at the young age of 43. Throughout her illness, she never complained or asked for special favors. In true fashion, De laughed and kept that beautiful smile on her face until God called her home.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Mitchell Austin and Shirley Rhodes Austin; paternal grandparents, Melvin and Elizabeth Miller; maternal uncle, Michael Austin; maternal aunt, Shirlene “Punkin” Austin-Carter; paternal aunt, Carole Miller; cousin, Mitchell Edwards, and her uncle and godfather, Vechel Rhodes, Sr.

Dedra leaves to cherish her memory mother, Ruby Austin; father, John Miller (Linda); maternal aunts, Lisa Y. Austin-Williams (Charles), Sylvia L. Austin (godmother), Dorothy V. Austin, and Tammy C. Austin-Bible; paternal aunts, Addie Miller, Melvia Miller; Donzella Grace (godmother); lifelong partner, Quarie Myhand, best friends Aspen Barnett and LaShanta Graham; numerous cousins that looked up to her; and a host of relatives and friends who will miss her presence, laughter, and smile.

Visitation will be held at Crown Hill Funeral Home, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, on August 2, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life at Crown Hill Funeral Home on August 2, 2026, at 3:00 pm.