Olive Austin

Olive S. Austin VIRGINIA BEACH - Mrs. Olive S. Austin passed away Nov. 29, 2009, at the age of 87. Mrs. Austin was born Aug. 1, 1922 to Ethel Stafford- McLane and Claude Leon Stafford in Norfolk. She spent her teenaged years in the Masonic Home in Richmond where she was affectionately nicknamed "Tootie." There, Mrs. Austin developed lifelong friendships and a great appreciation for the care she received from the Masons. Mrs. Austin later met and fell in love with the late Decator "Tate" H. Austin of Hatteras, N.C. Following several dinner- dances, the two quickly married and grew inseparable for the rest of their lives. A devoted Air Force wife, Mrs. Austin spent 28 years living in such far-off locales as Puerto Rico, Newfoundland, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. Mrs. Austin returned to Hampton Roads in 1967 where she spent her remaining years taking care of her husband, encouraging her children, and adoring her grandchildren. Mrs. Austin served as a member of the Community United Methodist Church, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Kempsville Homemakers Club. She is remembered for her unyielding devotion to her family, as well as an old cookie box that she stocked weekly for her grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, Claude, Enoch, Walter and Charles Stafford; and her husband of 56 years. She is survived by her sister-in-law and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Davis of Norfolk; a sister-in-law, Ola Austin of Manteo, N.C.; and sister-in-law, Betty Stafford of Falls Church, Va.; her brother -in-law, Albert L. "Bert" Austin of Grandy, N.C.; her son, Tate Austin, and wife Carol F. Austin; her daughter, Carolyn A. Culpepper and husband Herbert A. Culpepper; her son, Gary L. Austin and wife Susie O. Austin; and daughter, Karen A. Hayes and husband David D. Hayes, all of Virginia Beach, and Michael D. Austin and wife Bonnie Austin of Greensboro, N.C. She is further survived by 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Services will be held at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, 4889 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, with the viewing today, Dec. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. and service Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Princess Anne Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made either to the Masonic Home of Virginia, 4101 Nine Mile Road, Richmond, VA 23223-4999 or to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018. Friends may offer condolences at www.mem.com.