Ida L. Austin

Ida Lee Curl Austin (affectionately known to us as “Aunt Monk”) was born in Nacogdoches County, TX, on January 18, 1927, to the parents of Booker T. Curl and Myrtie Lee Sexton Curl. She was educated in the Chireno Public Schools in Nacogdoches County. She was united in holy matrimony to John T. Austin (Uncle Boogie) on September 17, 1942.

Following marriage, the young couple moved to Houston, TX where they eventually settled into their home in the Kashmere Gardens Community. Although there were never any biological children from this union, all Curl and Austin nieces and nephews were loved and cared about in full “Aunt Monk” fashion. She was an influential and loving part of their lives. She worked many years as a Medical Assistant at National Health Enterprises, Inc. until she retired. For as long as everyone can remember, Aunt Monk and Uncle Boogie were always members at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. Before onset of declining health, her many years of faithful service included singing in the Choir, Nurses Auxiliary and Mission Ministry. Once her inability to physically attend service came about, Aunt Monk always professed her love of The Lord, love of her Pastor and love of her church family. She did her best to remain connected with her church community.

As oldest of six (6) children, Ida was a calm and gentle spirit in the storm. She will always be remembered for her loving and caring hospitality to her visiting nieces and nephews when they came to Houston during the summer months. After long days of playing in her backyard, Aunt Monk always made sure there was a delicious hot meal and a “SUPER HOT” bath (with Ivory soap), for every niece and nephew. Summer activities would bring about trips to The Houston Zoo and trips to Herman Park for picnics! ...she made the best tuna sandwiches! Aunt Monk always made sure that every niece and nephew returned home from summer vacation with new catalog ordered pajamas, and cool summer shorts and tops/shirts. At Christmas, everyone was sure to again receive flannel pajama sets for seasonal cold weather. Holiday dinners (July 4th, Christmas & Curl Family Reunions) were sure to have Aunt Monk provide great barbeque (ribs and chicken) German Chocolate cake, sweet potato pie, pecan pie and fresh apple cakes, home-made vanilla ice cream and each niece and nephew had to participate with churning! In early April of this year, with continued realization, careful thought, and consideration of Aunt Monk’s needs for assistance with activities of daily living and for personal safety reasons, the family decided to transition Aunt Monk to The Gentle Hands Personal Care Home Residential Facility in Missouri, City TX. There she received quality and loving care until her sunset on June 21, 2021.

Ida was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 56 years, John T. Austin; parents (Booker T and Myrtie Curl); sister (Marjorie Curl Frederick), and three brothers, McNeil Sr (Bubba), Bobby (Brother Boy), and Walter Curl. She leaves to cherish her memory one remaining sibling Emma Nell Curl Jordan (Lufkin, TX); sister in law (Barbara Curl-Houston, TX); 5 nieces, Cheryl N. Curl (Houston, TX); Pam Brown (Douglas) Allen TX ; Yvonda (Wanda) Jacobs (Lionel) Houston, TX; Patricia Frederick (Allen, TX); Jill Redditt (Tracy) Haughton, LA; 3 nephews, Michael Smith (Houston, TX); McNeil (Chip) Curl Jr. (Zonthia) Houston, TX; Secdrick Blanchard (Lufkin, TX), and a host of great nieces/nephews, great-great nieces/nephews, God-daughter Shantily Jones Jackson, cousins, friends, her Bethlehem Church Family and loving caregivers Deborah Powell and Marchel Churchman.

“Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near”

Philippians 4:5