Justine Frank Austin's Obituary
Justine Frank Austin was born December 5, 1933 to Theodore and Stella Frank. She attended Medard H. Nelson Elementary School, graduating from the eighth grade as Valedictorian and then attending Joseph S. Clark High School until her graduation in 1951 as a member of the school’s first graduation class.
She accepted Christ as her personal Savior in 1943 and was baptized at Greater Asia Baptist Church by Joseph A. Martin in New Orleans, Louisianna. On February 19, 1952, James “Jim” Hilliard Austin and Justine were married and moved to Victorville, California. Two daughters were born to this union – Marcia Lynne and Sheryl Denise.
In Sept. 1960, Justine began studies as a freshman at Dillard University in New Orleans, graduating with honors in 1964 (Cum Laude) with a degree in Education. She pledged Delta Sigma Theta’s Beta Gamma Chapter in 1962. In August 1964, she and daughter Marcia joined Jim in Tacoma, Washington. Ken Storasli, Personnel Director, and Tom Ernest, Principal hired Justine as a full time teacher at Tillicum Elementary School, in March 1965. In July 1965, she took a year’s leave of absence, due to pregnancy and returning to full time status in September 1966. Justine received numerous awards during the 31 years she worked at Tillicum before retiring.
On April 30, 1972, Justine became a Charter Member of the Tacoma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and served as Second President from 1973-1974. During her presidency, she was proud to have spearheaded the production of a Political Action Handbook for the Greater Tacoma Area; conducted the chapter’s 2nd initiation of qualified young ladies; and led the chapter in implementing Delta’s Five Point Program that included the Teen Lift program established at Lincoln High School. She also led Christmas programs for seniors at the “M” Street Apartment in Tacoma; made crafts for the Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) Yule Boutique; and undertook the task of hosting the 1973 Founders Day Workshop at the Colored Women’s Clubhouse, during which the concerns were prison reform and women’s rights.
Justine also chaired the Jabberwock Production of 1984, a showcase of the talent of children and teens, one of Delta Sigma Theta’s major fundraisers; and chaired the Building Fund Project for a chapter building. She organized what would later develop into “Homeless to Self-sufficiency”, a program to help the needy; worked on “Red and White Ball” fundraisers; helped with the chapter’s “Cocktail Sip” fundraiser; and held many offices within the chapter including President, and Financial Secretary.
In 1975, Justine joined St. John Baptist Church and the Senior Usher Board. She was Vice-President for two years and President for four years (1999-2004), as well as Recording Secretary, Assistant Recording Secretary, Chair of their Annual Day celebration and various other committees. She was also honored as Usher of the Year. Her goal was to leave the office with a happier, more spiritual and united board. Her mission was indeed realized many times over.
In 1980, the Tacoma Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. was sponsored by the Seattle Chapter and voted into the national body at the 42nd National Convention in Houston, Texas. Justine was one of the twenty-seven founding mothers of the chapter at the installation held on Sunday, October 25, 1980, at the Fort Lewis Officer’s Club. The primary purpose of this organization was to create a medium of contact among mothers and children and to provide constructive recreational, social, and cultural programs for children through the concentrated efforts of organized parents.
Justine also enjoyed spending time bowling, skiing, camping, traveling, gardening, doing various crafts, sewing, assembling puzzles, and playing cards.
She was affectionately called, “Grammy” by her grand- and great-grandchildren: Malantha (Tone), Mahalia, Adriana, Malachai, Tianna, Tonika, Tony, Tierra and Royal.
On the afternoon of Sunday, May 17, 2020, Justine passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by Jim, her loving husband; Verona Adkins, her adoring sister; and Andrew, her first grandson. She is survived by her devoted daughters, Marcia and Sheryl; granddaughters Malantha and Mahalia; great grandchildren, Adriana, Malachai, Tianna, Tonika, Tony, Tierra, and Great-Great-grandson, Royal.
Family Expression of Appreciation:
The Family of Justine Austin would like to Acknowledge with deepest appreciation, your kind expressions of sympathy, prayers, and love. We are very grateful to each of you that sent heartfelt cards and frequent prayers, beautiful flowers and other expressions of comfort and encouragement as we begin our journey without her. Please know that you always held a special place in her heart. Her prayer was that you would forever be the kind, thoughtful, and hard-working friends that you were when she was with us and that you will continue to speak of her with love.
A special Thank You to the Staff of Multicare Home Health and Hospice, Tacoma General Hospital, Madigan Army Medical Center, and St. Joseph Hospital for their special care and support of Justine and her family during her last days.
In parting, Justine wanted to share these words from Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
And a poem inspired by Psalms 71:
I may be young but there are a few things that I have learned in life.
To ADMIRE that you will always hope in the Lord and praise him more and more each day.
To PRIZE your love for the Lord. For you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.
Your PERSERVERANCE to stay the course that the Lord has set you on. Despite the opposition, struggles, disappointments that life will throw, steadfastly with your eyes on the prize, you press toward that goal to win the race which God has called you for in Christ Jesus.
To RECOGNIZE WITH GRATITUDE that you may be old, gray, and your strength may be gone, but the Lord has never forsaken you. He is not far from you, and you have become a sign to many that God is your strong tower, your healer, your deliverer, your bridge over troubled waters, your way maker, your mind regulator and heart fixer, your Rock, your Rose of Sharon, your bright and MorningStar, and your Lily of the Valley.
Your EXCELLENCY that the Lord has not turned away. Within
your earthen vessel, God has made you full of power, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. He has increased your honor and comfort.
To CHERISH your testimony of how you got over. You proclaim the mighty acts of the Sovereign Lord, your tongue declares his righteous deeds all day long, you sing songs of deliverance and your lips shout for joy.
Despite your nation’s economic downturn, God says your INTRINSIC WORTH, which is your value, gets higher and better. He says your latter end will greatly increase and better is the latter than the beginning.
Your AWARENESS that your life would be nothing without your relationship with God. For He is your Bead of Heaven, your Living Water, and your provider.
TO TREASURE you want to declare God’s power to the next generation and his mighty acts to all who will come.
To ESTEEM or show you respect with warm, kind feeling. Rise in your presence and encourage you when needed. Because this is the righteousness of Christ.
I may be young, but I have learned to APPRECIATE you.
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