Barbara Gail Austin

COLUMBIA Barbara Gail Austin, 80, died Sunday, March 27, 2016 at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital. She was born January 20, 1936 in Wallkill, N.Y. to James A. Austin and Alice Mary Delong Austin. She spent her early years in Delmar, N.Y. and moved to Columbia in 1948. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1958 and was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She earned her Master in Education degree from USC in 1969. Barbara retired from Richland County School District One after 30 years of service, working as a Physical Education teacher in University High, Wardlaw Junior High and Booker T. Washington High, and as a guidance counselor in Eau Clare, A.C. Flora and Lower Richland High Schools. She was a member of the Richland #1 Teachers Association and Richland County Education Association, serving in various positions on the local level, and was also a member of the South Carolina Education Association, the National Education Association, and the Richland County Education Association Retired. Barbara was a champion of the arts, and supported several area organizations. She was an enthusiastic patron of Trustus and Workshop Theaters, and worked as Stage Manager and Props manager for shows at Workshop. After retiring from teaching she worked as a receptionist and assistant at Calvert Brodie School of Dance. She loved reading, USC women's basketball, and being with friends and family. Her wit and dry humor were contagious and to know her was to love her. She was preceded in death by her brother, James L. Austin, and sister, Sharon L. Austin. She is survived by sister, Carol Austin Blodgett; nieces, Deborah Austin Tyrrell, Stephanie L. Blodgett, Jami Blodgett Bascom, and Stacey Blodgett Ferraro; nephews, Michael M. Austin, Timothy S. Austin, and Steven L. Blodgett; and 7 grandnieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, with visitation immediately following until 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice Care of South Carolina/Richland County, 3955 Southeastern Way, Suite 1, West Columbia, SC 29169 or PETS Inc, PO Box 6394, West Columbia, SC 29171.