Sarah Ann Watts Austin, 89, of Panama City, FL died peacefully with family at her side on Friday, January 17, 2020. Mrs. Austin was the only child of the late William Cheney Watts, Jr. and the late Bertha Weaver Watts. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Belden Austin Jr., an infant son, George Belden Austin III, a daughter, Patricia Austin Peacock and a daughter-in-law, Judith Kreiser Austin.
Mrs. Austin is survived by a daughter, Stephanie A. Humphreys and husband, Steve, a son, Peter W. Austin, a son, Michael W. Austin and son-in-law, David Peacock. She is also survived by eight grandchildren; Ross Humphreys (Carley), Sarah Allison Humphreys Haligas (Darren), Tiffany Peacock Burnside (Aaron), Jacob Peacock, Jonathan Peacock ( Robyne), Matthew Austin, Lindsay Austin and Joshua Austin. Also surviving her are ten great grandchildren; Cheney Humphreys, Sarah Catherine Humphreys, Thomas Humphreys, Austin Haligas, Graham Haligas, Owen Haligas, Brianna Burdess, Charlotte Peacock, Elizabeth Peacock and Sarah Jean Peacock.
Sarah was born on March 17, 1930 in Greenwood, MS. Her earliest years were spent in the Mississippi Delta. During World War II her family moved to Mobile, AL, where she graduated with honors from Murphy High School. It was during her senior year in high school that she fell in love with a young officer by the name of George Austin, who had just returned from the war. After graduation, Sarah attended Mississippi State College for Women. In 1949 she married George, and they lived in College Station, TX while he completed his MS at Texas A&M.
In 1955 Sarah and George made their lifetime home in Panama City, FL where they raised their four children. They both worked at the U.S Naval Mine Defense Laboratory, he as an oceanographer and she as a clerk/bookkeeper. They soon welcomed twins to the family, at which time homemaker became Sarah's career.
Soon after moving to Panama City Sarah and George accepted an invitation to join several other families in starting an Episcopal mission church, Holy Nativity. Sarah was devoted to her church, where she was a faithful member for 64 years, serving in many capacities. She especially loved singing in the choir and working with children. She taught 3K at Holy Nativity Episcopal School for over 30 years, and served as Preschool Director. Sarah was not only a wonderful mother to her own family, she made a loving impact on hundreds of young children.
A memorial service for Sarah Austin will be held at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, 222 N. Bonita Ave., on Sat. January 25, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. The Reverend Steve Bates will officiate and The Reverend Tom Weller will assist. A reception will be held immediately following the service in Battin Hall at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Nativity Episcopal Church or School or to Covenant Care (Hospice).
The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the ladies who have so lovingly cared for our mother; Marva Fennell, Betty Jones, Tandra Davis, Crystal Davis and Jessica Jena, Novia, Collette, Rasheeda, the staff of Mathison Retirement Center and the nurses and staff of Covenant Care.