Alma Jean Austin Davis

Life's Journey
Alma Jean Austin Davis
Alma Jean Austin Davis was born on September 23, 1939, in McGehee, Arkansas, to the late Richard, Sr., and Isabellia Austin. She was the seventh of fifteen children from their union. Alma accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age with the Palestine Missionary Baptist Church in McGehee, Arkansas where she served as the church musician.
She received her education at the Wolfe Elementary and High School in the Wolf Project community. She was eligible to graduate from high school at the age of 16, however her father made her finish her high school years. In 1961, Alma earned a Bachelor of Science in Health & Physical Education, General Science from Arkansas Agricultural Mechanical and Normal College, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. In 1962, Alma was united in holy matrimony to Joseph Davis. To this union one daughter was born, Angela Yvette Davis.
In 1970, Alma and her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she taught elementary and middle school as well as coached the girls high school basketball team in the Missouri School System. She also earned a Life Certification in Science, Elementary Education, and Social Studies from Harris-Stowe State College in St. Louis, Missouri, and a Master's Degree in Social & Behavioral Science from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. She was selected twice as "Teacher of the Year" in the Ferguson Florissant School District, a member of Who's Who in Missouri Education, and was a member of the Kindergarten Board of Education in St. Louis, Missouri. She taught for 35 years and retired from the Missouri Department of Education in 1996.
Dedicated to family and church, Alma was an active member of Greater Mount Caramel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Earl E. Nance Sr. and Pastor Earl Nance Jr. She taught Sunday School, sung in the Nance Choral Chorus, and served as Director of the Baptist Training Union. In 2000, inspired by her mother's devotion to prayer and determination to keep her family connected, Alma initiated the "Austin Family Prayer Conference Call." Still active today, family members pray together monthly. Continuing her vision to honor family, connection, and prayer, she wrote and published two books, A Family: Present and Connected (2015) and The Legacy Continues: What Happens When Austin Nation Prays (2017).
Alma relocated back home to Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She was a member of Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Glenn D. Barnes, her last church family before transitioning to her eternal home on June 22, 2025.
Alma is preceded in death by her parents Richard, Sr. and Isabellia Austin; and seven siblings, Eddie Lee Austin, Devellar Mae Sewell, Pearline Johnson, Johnnie Wren, James Austin, Gloria Austin, and Richard Austin, Jr.
She leaves to cherish her memory: One daughter ~ Angela Yvette Davis of Little Elm, TX; siblings, Jeanett Daniel, Freddie Jenkins, Alfalene (Percy) Richardson of Pine Bluff, AR, Beatrice Bell of Redfield, AR, Patricia (Myron) Perry of Pine Bluff, AR, Bailey (Linda) Austin of Dumas, AR, and Alfonso (Sharon) Austin, Sr. of Jackson, TN; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Brown Funeral Home Pine Bluff, AR.
Funeral Service will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church Pine Bluff, AR by Pastor Glenn Barnes, Sr. Interment in Palestine Cemetery McGehee, AR by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff, AR. Her body will lie in-state from 9:15 a.m. until service time.
Obituary submitted by The Family
Brown Funeral Home (Pine Bluff)