Sally Belland-Austin

1939 - 2015

Sally Harper Belland-Austin, 76, of Clairton, departed this life peacefully at home on Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. She was born April 23, 1939, in Blair, S.C., daughter of the late John Lee and Elnora Jones Harper. She was preceded in death by her son, Elbert "Petey" Belland Jr. She was a graduate of Clairton High School, Craig's School of Cosmetology of Philadelphia and later received her Bachelor of Arts degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh. She was a self-employed beautician and also worked as a beautician for the Waters Funeral Home. She was employed as a social worker liaison with the Great Lakes Behavioral Research Institute of McKeesport. Sally was a faithful member of First AME Church until her health began to fail. She was a former choir member, president of the Lay Organization, Women's Day captain, trustee, van driver for the Transportation Ministry and former chairperson of the church picnic committee; volunteered her services in the NAACP, member of the Anderson Chapter 7, Order of the Eastern Star, and the State Health Improvement Program (SHIP). Surviving are her husband, Arter Austin; stepchildren and grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins; sisters-in-law; an aunt, Ella Sneed; and godchildren, Paula Turner-Jackson and Gregory Province. Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, at the First AME Church, 177 Mitchell Ave., Clairton, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, with the Rev. Linda Moore officiating. Interment will follow in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth. Arrangements entrusted to ROBERT A. WATERS FUNERAL HOME INC., Clairton.