Bernice Helen (Morrow) Austin was born January 17, 1927 in Hall County, Georgia to the late John W. and Gladys (Vincent) Morrow. She transitioned this life on September 13, 2023. Bernice was the ninth of thirteen children and the last living child of the Morrow union.
Bernice graduated from Fair Street School. Upon graduation, she married the late Melvin Austin Jr., and to this union, they were blessed with five children. Bernice was a stay-at-home mother and a devoted wife. Later in life, she entered the workforce, where she worked for the Hall County Extension Agency, Chicopee Manufacturing Company, and the Rogers family until she retired.
Bernice was a lifelong member of the St. John Baptist Church, where she served in the Senior Choir. She was an active member of the Sunshine Seniors.
Bernice was a loving devoted wife, mother, and sister to all her siblings, and she gave all she had to care for them during their times of sickness or any other need they may have had. Whether it was giving shelter to her sisters or nieces or taking care of their children when there was a need, she was always there to give a helping hand. Bernice was a stickler for education and instilled the necessity of higher education to all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. There was no excuse you could give her for not attending school. Bernice volunteered with the Gainesville City Schools to help teach elementary students how to read.
Bernice was preceded in death by her husband Melvin Austin Jr., daughter, Brenda Ann (Austin) Morrison. Brothers, John W. Morrow Jr., Charles R. Morrow, James L. Morrow, Douglas Morrow, and Robert Morrow. Sisters, Eulalia Morrow Jones, Gertrude Morrow, Mary Nell (Morrow) Thomas, Elise (Slim) Morrow, Ruby (Morrow) Williams, Bettye (Morrow) Lipscomb, and Charrie (Morrow) Welchel. Special niece, Eulene Jones Barnett.
She leaves to cherish her memories, Sons, James Gregory (Ann) Austin of Charlotte, NC, David R. Austin of Gainesville, GA, and Kenneth (Janice) Austin Sr. of Flowery Branch, GA. Daughter, Beverly Austin Everette of Flowery
Branch, GA. Grandchildren, Douglas (Kim) Morrison, Jacksonville, FL, Andrea Williams-Smith, Ellenwood, GA, Kimberly (Austin) Fulmore, Gainesville, GA, Michelle (Cory) Dargen, Concord, NC, Kenneth (Kecia) Austin, Jr., Fayetteville, GA, Monica Austin, Flowery Branch, GA, and Tamara Austin, Gainesville, GA. Great-grand Children, Morgan Morrison, Jonathan Morrison, Alexis Smith (MonChaz) Stafford, Austin (Breyana) Smith, Alijah Smith, Kynika Coleman, Kaitlan Summerour, Kason Fulmore, Alexandria Dargen, Lauren Dargan, Kennedy Austin, Kaleigh Austin, Samir Stephens, Aijalon Stephens, Prince Austin, Yanerie Watkins, and Rylei Watson. Great-Great-grand Children, Avery Stafford, Marley Stafford and Autumn Smith, Karter Devereux, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thanks to her friend Betty Chester who took great care of her.
Funeral service will be held on Monday, September 18, 2023 at Saint John Baptist Church at 12:00 noon. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2023, between the hours of 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM at Saint John Baptist Church. Professional Services Entrusted to Wimberly Funeral Home.