Helen Austin

On February 23, 2012 a wonderful lady entered the gates of heaven. Mrs. Helen Austin passed from this life at Indian Path Hospital.

Helen R. Austin was born to Will and Bessie King Roller on June 21, 1921. She was the youngest child in her family and was reared with the children of her brother, Perry Roller, and sister, Gladys Fugate. She enjoyed the camaraderie of a large family with many nieces and nephews.

Her work experience included The Press, Hosiery Mill and Eastman Kodak in the Yarn Division. On July 22, 1944, Helen married Horace P. Austin. She stayed home to raise two daughters and help with grandson, Robbie, until 1973, when she began working in food services at Robinson Middle School. Helen managed the cafeteria at Robinson for ten years. Then she retired to camp and fish with her buddies at Douglas Lake Campground. Helen and Horace loved to travel and visit flea markets.

The greatest memory of Helen will always be her incredible cooking skills. For years she carried food to the sick and grieving. Helen fed her neighbors and all the neighborhood children, who called her Nannie Helen. Holiday and family celebrations centered around going to Nannie's for a good meal of wonderful home cooked food. Her great grandson Zachary loved to eat her cooked apples; and her great grandson Andrew loved her chicken and dumplings. She always had their favorites ready whenever they came to visit. When she was a child, granddaughter Emily called her Nannie Koala. The youngest granddaughter, Kelly, always enjoyed coming to visit and eating Pal's. Nannie Helen was much loved by her family.

Her faith journey in Christ began as a child at Emory Methodist Church. Helen's trust in the Lord sustained her during Horace's long illness and all through the trials in her life. Helen Austin was a member of St. Matthew's United Methodist. She loved her church family and worked in the church for many years. Helen was a member of the Women of the Moose and enjoyed the fellowship with her friends. She was also a member of the Women's Auxiliary of American Legion.


Mrs. Austin was preceded in death by her husband, Horace P. Austin in 1997. Her brother, Perry Roller, and sisters, Gladys Fugate, Myrtle Good and Leona Hawk also preceded Helen to heaven. Infant siblings Floyd and Almeta died in childhood. Her son-in-law, Gurney Harrison, passed in 1993.

Helen is survived by two daughters and their families. Kingsport family members include daughter, Peggy Ervin and son-in-law, Jerry; grandson, Rob Ervin and granddaughter-in-law, Wendy; granddaughter, Stacia Ervin Brown; and two great-grandsons, Zachary and Andrew Ervin. Houston, Texas family members are daughter Patti Austin-Harrison, granddaughter, Emily DeNease and husband, Nick, and granddaughter, Kelly Harrison; and in Florida, grandson, Traye Harrison and wife, Laura, and great-grandchildren, Shelby and Jackson. Also in Kingsport are several nieces and nephews, a special neighbor, Tommy Meredith and two sisters-in-law, Bobbie Epperson and Phyllis Austin.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 25th from 6-9:00 pm at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport.

Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, February 26th at 2:30 pm at St. Matthews United Methodist Church with Rev. David Graves and Rev. Ray Amos officiating.

Interment will follow the funeral service at Emory United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Thank you to the staff of Preston Place for the great care given to Helen in the past two years. Grateful thanks to sitters, Nancy, Helen, Tammy, Monique, and Harriet who cared for Helen in the last days. Also a thank you to the caring and considerate staff on the 7th floor of Indian Path Hospital, a wonderful group! Thank you to Dr. Matthews and staff for helping us care for mom. She was greatly appreciative to Rob Brown for helping her to fix everything! A special thanks to Jerry Ervin for taking Mom to the doctor and cooking her favorite foods.

The family requests memorials be sent to Emory Cemetery Fund; c/o Sam Moody, 5105 Memorial Blvd., Kingsport, TN 37664 or St. Matthews United Methodist, 2505 Nathan St., Kingsport, TN 37664.