Verlee Austin

Verlee Halton was born into time on August 7, 1929 in Sparkman, Arkansas to the union of Fred and Nancy Dunn Halton. Verlee accepted Christ as her personal savoir and was baptized under the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Allen. She was a life long member of First Missionary Baptist Church in Sparkman, Arkansas where she once served on the usher board, treasurer of vacation bible school, mission and the pastor’s aide committee. She attended the Sparkman Training School. As a young lady she learned the importance of working hard on the family farm, helping others, enjoying life and most importantly, putting God and family first. Those early lessons would fortify the essence of her legacy. On June 23, 1948, she married Daniel C. Austin and God blessed their holy union with four children. They taught her children that a good name was more valuable than riches. With four children in and out of her home, cooking became second nature and one of her favorite pastimes. She was known in the community to cook the best egg pies and enjoyed the relaxation and comfort that fishing brought. Mrs. Austin was known throughout the community as a friendly woman, and a godly woman with a strong devotion to family. Those she touched and those who knew her witnessed her untiring love for God. She was a believer in “treating others, as you would have them to treat you”. As Mrs. Austin approached her last hours, she was surrounded by her family to bid her a safe journey awaited by the open, loving arms of her Heavenly Father. On Sunday, April 29, 2012 after eighty-two seasons, answered the call that no man can refuse. She was welcomed to her eternal home by her parents, her beloved Daniel Austin, two daughters, Gloria D. Hawkins and Alice M. “Happy” Austin who made her transition on August 10, 2011. Those left to remember and celebrate her life are her two sons, Daniel “Button” Austin of Sparkman and Eric S. Austin of Oakley, CA; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; three sisters Eddie Mae Halton of Seneca, SC, Maelene Harrison of Sparkman, and Loreatha Eason of Sparkman; two brothers H. B. Halton and his wife Teresa of Malvern and Freddie L. Halton of San Francisco, CA; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the First Missionary Baptist Church family. Mrs. Austin will lie in repose at the funeral home on Friday, May 4th from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 5th at First Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. L. A. Craig will deliver the eulogy. The committal service and final resting place will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery.