Rebecca Austin

Rebecca Lisanby Austin, of Cleveland, went to be with her Lord Jesus on Sunday, January 4, 2014, at the home of her youngest daughter, Melinda Neill of Brandon, MS. She was 92. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2015, at Ray Funeral Home and 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2015, at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Celebration of Life services will be11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2015, at Covenant Presbyterian Church with Rev. Tim Starnes officiating. Interment will follow in Old Cleveland Cemetery.
Rebecca was born January 10, 1923, in Dawson Springs, KY, to Amon Lisanby and Edna Gentry Lisanby. On July 14, 1945, she married Dr. Samuel Duff Austin in Bristol, TN. She worked for many years as a Registered Nurse in WWII while her husband was a ship Physician. They later moved to Cleveland where he began his practice in 1952 after leaving Clarksdale. In 1982, she became a charter member of Covenant Presbyterian Church where she participated in Vacation Bible School for many years, taught Sunday School, and sang in the choir. She co-founded the Flower Committee with Mrs. Mary James Blakeman, and was a member of the Garden Club and Junior Auxiliary. She won many awards including the President's Award for outstanding service to Bologna Performing Arts Center in 2000, and The Gladys Castle Friends of Delta State Service Award in 1997.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Dr. Samuel Duff Austin, and her son, Duff Richmond Austin. She is survived by 3 daughters, Cathy Austin Smith (David) of Pontotoc, MS, Susan Austin Stewart (John) of Opelika, Al, and Melinda Austin Neill (James S. A., Sr.) of Brandon, MS; 9 grandchildren, David Nathan Smith, Hilary Smith Owens (Trey), Amanda Clair Smith, John Austin Stewart (Nicole), Rebecca Stewart Mader (David), Daniel McCallum Neill (Hillary Golston), James S.A Neill, Jr., Duff Austin Neill, Jr. (Anja) and Meredith Neill Martin (Evan); and 6 great-grandchildren, Richmond Pearce Phillips, Samuel Kenneth Owens, Alexa Brooks Mader, Charles Stewart Mader, Leif Orrin Neill, and Freyja Rebecca Neill.
Pallbearers will be Austin Stewart, Nathan Smith, Daniel Neill, James Neill, Duff Neill, Trey Owens, David Mader, and Evan Martin.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, French Camp Academy, or the charity of your choice.

First Visitation

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, January 9, 2015
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Second Visitation

10:00 am - 11:00 am Saturday, January 10, 2015
Covenant Presbyterian Church Bishop Rd. Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Service Information

11:00 am Saturday, January 10, 2015
Covenant Presbyterian Church Bishop Rd. Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Interment Information

Old Cleveland Cemetery N Bolivar Cleveland, Mississippi, United States