On June 15, 2023, Patricia (Pat) came face to face with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She is whole, healed, and perfect. The Holy Bible is very clear that the only way to Heaven is by trusting in God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, and making Him Lord of your life. Patricia made this decision in her youth at Magnolia Baptist Church in the Hunter community of rural Louisiana. She obediently made her public profession of faith and was baptized in a pond down the road from the church. Her faith was evident in every part of her life. She would want you to make this decision, too! Romans 10:9-13
Patricia was born in the Hunter community near Stanley, Louisiana, February 26, 1942 to Allen Jefferson Austin, Sr. and Susie (Sudie) Jane Brown Austin. She is survived by her son David Johnson (Kim) and daughter Kelly Ketchum (Chad); grandchildren Luke and Landry Johnson, Katie, Lauren, and Austin Olivia Ketchum; beloved dog Daisy; sister Mary Francis James Mercer; dearest friend Clara Williford; and a multitude of cherished nieces/nephews, family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Joe Rex Johnson; her parents; sisters and brothers-in-law Janie Hill (Glenn), Aline Converse (Paul), Bill James, Bert Mercer, and brother Allen J. Austin, Jr. (Barbara); niece Susan Hill Sutton and nephew Robbie Austin.
Following her faith and family, Pat’s passion and natural gift was teaching. After completing her degree in 1963 from East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, Texas, she began her career as an English teacher at Waskom High School until 2007. During that time, she changed the lives of countless students. Her methods were strict but came from a place of love and encouragement. Sentiments shared by many of her students include, “best teacher ever”, “hard but fair because she wanted me to learn”, “pushed because she knew I could do better”, “changed my life”, and unforgettably “crazy for believing in fairies”-if you never understood that that was a reference to Shakespeare, then you must have skipped your “smart pill” she provided, or needed more “insurance” than she was willing to give. (As her daughter, I cringe writing this tribute because she is not able to proof it for me!)
Patricia had many names: Pat, Mama, Grannie, Aunt Tricia, Pitty Pat, and Aunt Pat. Each person she touched in life respected and loved her, and may have a dramatic or hilarious story to share. Additionally, a host of people that never knew her name will have a story to tell. She was a generous supporter of missions both at home and foreign. From WMU, Annie Armstrong, Georgia Barnett, Lottie Moon, Samaritan’s Purse, to Mark Sutton Ministries, countless were blessed by her donations and prayers. It was who she was to give for Eternity.
The family will receive guests at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home in Shreveport on Friday, June 23, 2023 from 5 to 8 o’clock in the evening. Funeral services will be held at Centuries Memorial on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 11 o’clock in the morning. Burial will follow at Hunter Magnolia Cemetery in the Stanley, LA area. Rev. John Harp will preside over service and Bro. Santos sharing at graveside. Pallbearers will be Lynn Austin, Jack James, Jeff James, Justin James, Buck Lewis, and Steve Chadwick. Honorary pallbearers will be Luke Johnson and Chad Ketchum.
Memorials may be made to Mark Sutton Ministries 113 Wood Ibis Ct., Daytona Beach, FL 32119, or Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child®. To LeAnn and Melissa, nurses at WKP ICU 5th floor-you are in your true calling. Your compassion and support was priceless. A huge thank you to Jeane Ott, her caregiver. You stood with us all the way, and we are grateful beyond words!! Thank you to everyone who has helped in big, small, and prayerful ways over the last several years! We love you!
