Joanne Austin
Mrs. Joanne Austin of Covington arrived at her Heavenly Home on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Joanne was the daughter of Ruth and Leon Myers of Covington. She graduated from Covington High School, Class of 1948 and attended Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY. Her love of music was an active part of her life, serving from the age of fourteen as a soloist and was a student of Nell Fleshman and Margaret McCaleb throughout high school. While attending college, she was a member of the touring choir and continued all of her life performing as a Mezzo-Soprano. In 2001, she was crowned as “Ms Virginia, Sr.” in Roanoke, VA and for one year traveled throughout the state performing.
Joanne was a member of Covington Baptist Church.
While in Covington, she was employed as a secretary in the research lab by West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company. From 1970 until 1978, she was the secretary for the Covington City Manager. In 1979, Joanne entered the Nuclear Engineering Field and by 1981, was certified as Quality Assurance Engineer and served as the first lady engineer at the Hanford Nuclear Project located at Richland, WA. Joanne joined Virginia Electric Power in December 1981 and traveled for seven years as a lead auditor, served at North Anna for five years in Operation Phase and also served as chairman of the Volunteer team.
Joanne retired in 1992 and was recognized by her company through a luncheon and roast commending her as “Volunteer of the Year in 1998.” She was honored to be the first retiree given the award. Joanne was entered by her co-workers for Who’s Who of American Women In The Nuclear Field and also received a merit award for having saved an accident victim in Mineral, VA. Upon returning to Covington, Joanne chose to teach Special Education under the guidance of Mrs. Carol Varner at Callaghan School for three years.
Joanne enjoyed spending time with her many friends especially her monthly card group at Cucci’s and her Friday Nite Moose Group dinner friends. Throughout the years, she served in many civic organizations and performed in many musical events. Most of all, she enjoyed her family, cooking, flower and vegetable gardening and the many animals she rescued and cared for over the years.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, her former husband of twenty-three years, Eddie Austin, and their son, Timothy Edward Austin, the love of her life. She was also preceded in death by her nephew, Gene Austin and brother-in-law, Tommy Austin.
Surviving Joanne is her sister-in-law, Mary Austin; several favorite cousins including Wayne and Lola Hylton of Knoxville, TN, Linda and Seth Williams and Robert Vitrikas and wife, Chris of Barboursville; numerous friends; and her beloved cats, Macy and J.J.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Covington Baptist Church with Rev. Brad Armes officiating.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Alleghany Humane Society, 9313 Rich Patch Road, Covington VA 24426.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Mrs. Austin’s memorial page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
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