Willa Dean Austin

Willa Dean Austin age 84 of Purcell, OK, formerly of Wickes, Arkansas passed away Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Sunset Estates Nursing Home in Purcell. She was born September 8, 1933 in Rector, Arkansas. Willa Dean was the youngest of six children, born to Willie Curtis David and Mary Emaline (Howell) House. She grew up a country girl, the daughter of a share cropper in Clay County, Arkansas. It was in those early years that she learned how to work hard. She kept that same work ethic throughout her life, after she got married and started raising a family. At the age of 20, Willa Dean married Olen Henry Austin. They were married on March 20, 1954 in Hernando, Mississippi. The first 14 years of their marriage they lived in Rockford, Illinois. It was there they started a family and where their children were born, Daryl, David, Donald and Mary. In 1968 they moved back to Arkansas near Wickes and began raising chickens. Willa Dean and Olen owned and operated a chicken farm for over 20 years. Willa Dean will be remembered as someone that loved the Lord and was a faithful servant. She was a longtime member of the Wickes Church of the Nazarene. Throughout her life, she enjoyed gardening and canning. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting, singing, reading her Bible, and playing games with her grandchildren. Willa Dean will be remembered as a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, special sister, and aunt to her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by: Parents, Curtis and Mary House; Husband, Olen Austin on April 21, 1996 Son, Donald Austin Brother, Vernilee House Also two infant brothers and two infant sisters; She is survived by: One Daughter, Mary Rex and husband Andy of Goldsby, OK. Two Sons, David Austin and wife Vicki of Malvern, AR. Daryl Austin and wife Leonia of Hatfield, AR. Daughter-in-law, Betty Sue Austin of Y-City, AR. Sister-in-law, Jeannette Austin of Wickes, AR. Eight grandchildren, Josh Austin and wife Rachel, Amber (Austin) Drake, Randi Uhles and husband Ty, Rebecca Caldwell and husband Tim, Jake Austin, Eric Austin and wife Angela, Kenny Anderson and wife Gretchen, and Bryan Anderson. 11 great grandchildren Many nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 10:00 am Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at Wickes Church of the Nazarene in Wickes, AR. Interment will be at the Daniel Cemetery, Wickes, AR. A visitation will be held Tuesday evening April 10, from 6-8 pm at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials gifts may be sent to Wickes Church of the Nazarene, P.O. Box 216, Wickes, AR 71973. Care of youth ministry. Arrangements are by Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell, OK.

Willa Dean Austin

September 8, 1933 - April 7, 2018