Barbara Austin

Hanahan, SC – Barbara ‘Grandbabs’ Brock Austin was born in Conway, SC on March 26th, 1938, and answered God’s call and peacefully accepted eternal rest on Thursday, February 8th, 2024, at the age of 85.

Barbara was a dedicated great grandmother, grandmother, mother and wife who loved dearly and supported her family with an unbreakable commitment and love. Throughout her life, Barbara served her Lord, family, friends, and community. She spoke with her family daily, encouraging them and lifting them up in prayer every day. Her home was always prepared for spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and everyone who spoke with her knew they were the joys of her life.

For over 50 years she was active in and served Highland Park Baptist Church, as a member on Pastor Search Committees, Finance Committees, Sunday School teacher, and counselor. She tirelessly studied her Bible and the Scriptures to prepare her lessons and messages for the members of her classes.

She served as legal clerks to magistrates, Circuit Court Judges, president of the South Carolina Clerks to Council Association, and as Clerk to Council for Berkeley County Government where she became the very first in the State of South Carolina to be certified as Clerk to Council. She retired from service to the citizens of her beloved Berkeley County and the State of South Carolina on June 29th, 2011.

Barbara was born in Conway, SC, married Willis Watson Austin, Jr. in December of 1957 and lived in Moncks Corner, SC. They moved to Hanahan, SC in 1964 where they made their home and raised three sons, being active in her community, city, organizations, and church. She was the matriarch of the family until she gracefully accepted God’s final calling on Feb 8th, to reunite and celebrate for eternity with her Savior, husband, parents and grandson.

Barbara is survived by three sons, Timothy Wayne Austin (Robin) of Sevierville, TN, Anthony Mark Austin (Lisa) of Hanahan, SC, and Ted Kirton Austin (Kimberly) of Goose Creek, SC. She is survived by seven grandchildren: Adam Austin (Mary), Ashleigh Austin Price (Dylan), Taylor Austin (Lauren), Noelle Austin Bohanan (Dalton), Kelsey Austin (Aerimon), Rachael Austin Coulter (Adam), and Kailyn Austin (Joseph), and by great grandchildren Mason, Amelia, Emma and Sawyer. She is predeceased by her husband Willis Watson Austin Jr., parents Gordon William Brock Sr. and Alma Lee Brock, parent’s in-law Willis Watson Austin Sr. and Rebecca DeHay Austin, her brother Gordon William Brock, Jr., brother’s and sister’s in-law, Mary and Jerome Wylie, Margie and Richard Gibson, Fran and Jervey Austin and by her grandson Timothy Joel Austin.

A celebration of her amazing life will be held on Monday, February 12th 2024 at Highland Park Baptist Church in Hanahan, SC with visitation at 10:00 am, her celebration of life service at 11:00 am and internment following the service at Carolina Memorial Gardens; 7113 Rivers Ave, N.Charleston, SC 29406. The family asks that any charitable donations be made to the ALS Foundation or Highland Park Baptist Church.