Obituary of Margaret Ann Austin

Margaret Ann Austin Funeral services for Margaret Ann Austin of Elsberry, MO were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Rev. Edgar Wagner, pastor of the Bible Holiness Church in Elsberry, officiated with burial in Elsberry City Cemetery. Mrs. Austin, 75, died early Sunday morning, May 25, 2003 at the Lincoln county Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Troy, MO. Born November 2, 1927 in Clarksville, MO, she was the daughter of the late James and Bernice Halsema Downing. She was a 1945 graduate of Paynesville High School. She was united in marriage on June 6, 1947 in Pittsfield, IL to Charles Newton "Chic" Austin. Mrs. Austin worked as the manager of the Senate Theatre in Elsberry during the 1950s and 1960s. She later worked as a seamstress in several garment factories in the Lincoln County area. She was a member of the International Ladies Garment Worker's Union, Local # 494. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Helen Mae Harding; her brothers-in-law, Joe Harding and Forrest Swarnes; and her beloved husband of 36 years, Charles N. "Chic" Austin, who died November 29, 1983. Survivors include her son, Bob Austin and his wife, Nancy, of Elsberry; her sister, Katherine Swarnes of Clarksville; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to the AmHeart Hospice or to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Cancer Research Fund, both in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry, MO 63343.