Thelma Elizabeth (Bette) Austin died peacefully following a short illness in the early morning hours of October 7, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Elizabeth was born on February 16, 1929, in Yorktown, Texas – the only child of Otto and Thelma Pieper. She lived in Yorktown until 1942, when she moved to Victoria with her parents. Elizabeth graduated from Patti Welder High School in 1947 and Victoria College two years later. She married her high school sweetheart, Judson Parry Austin on New Year’s Day, 1950.
Bette and Jud raised two daughters in Bay City – Elizabeth (Liz) Austin Reddoch Williams and Sharon Lynn Austin McAuley. Bette was active as a troop leader of Brownies and Girl Scouts and as a congregant at First Presbyterian Church of Bay City. She had a lifelong passion for sewing, needlecraft, and paper crafts. She and Jud created and sent handcrafted Christmas cards to their friends and family for the entire 74 years of their marriage. Bette will long be remembered by her family for her fortitude, her traditional holiday celebrations, and her food/recipe contributions at family gatherings.
In 1977, Elizabeth and Jud returned to Victoria when Central Power and Light transferred Jud to the new district office located here. They have lived in this community since then and have been active members of the First Presbyterian Church of Victoria.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband of 74 years, Jud Austin of Victoria; her two daughters – Liz and husband Don Williams of Sugar Land and Lynn McAuley of Victoria; three grandsons – Bryan McAuley and his wife Amanda of San Felipe – Matt Reddoch and his wife Sheila of Huntsville – Josh Reddoch and his wife Kristi of Brenham; nine great-grandchildren – Taylor Reddoch of Huntsville – Zoe McAuley Denny and her husband Austin of Houston – Piper McAuley McDowell and her husband Zach of Irving – Dax Reddoch of Huntsville – Hailey Reddoch of Huntsville – Ethan Reddoch of Brenham – Micah, Leighton, and Elijah Gibson of Huntsville, and one great-great-grandson, Beckett Denny of Houston. She is also survived by a beloved lifelong school friend of her daughters, Sylvia Huey, and her husband, Jimmy. Elizabeth loved Sylvia as a third daughter.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by parents Otto and Thelma Pieper, son-in-law Larry McAuley, and great-granddaughter Sara Elizabeth Reddoch.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. Fabian Espinosa, who saw to Bette’s care for many years, to Adela Johnson, who was her in-home loving caregiver for the past year, and to the staff of Harbor Hospice, who saw to her every need in the final week of her life.
In lieu of flowers, it was Elizabeth’s wish that memorial contributions go to the First Presbyterian Church of Victoria, Harbor Hospice, or the charity of the giver’s choice.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church of Victoria on Saturday, November 16 at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Bette Burris officiating. A time of visitation with the family will be held in the church parlor from 10:15 – 11:00 a.m. A lunch reception will be held in Fellowship Hall for all guests and family immediately following the service.
A private family interment will be held at Memory Gardens preceding the Celebration of Life Service and visitation.
