Sandra L. Austin, 74, of Huntsville passed away Wednesday evening. She was born in Portland, Tennessee. Sandra was very active in various activities such as Girls State, 4-H Congress, Cheerleading (Captain), Basketball, and was also the Valedictorian of her graduating class. After graduating from Portland High School, she attended Western Kentucky University and was in the first graduating class of University of Alabama Huntsville.
Sandra worked as a math teacher and later as a Computer Programmer on the Patriot Missile program. She is one of the founding members of the Huntsville Land Trust – an organization that raises money for the preservation of land in North Alabama. Sandra was awarded the ‘1000 Points of Light’ for her contributions to the Huntsville Land Trust and had the opportunity to meet President George H.W. Bush for her accomplishments. She also loved helping others that were in need. There were many, many occasions that Sandra overheard someone, of whom she did not know, having problems or issues in life and instantly rose to the occasion to help them as best she could. Many individuals say that she was the nicest person that they had ever met and always put others before herself.
She enjoyed observing wildflowers, bird watching, trail riding in dune buggies, hunting arrowheads, and spending time with her family.
Sandra was predeceased by her parents Phillip and Nancy Wattwood; and husband, Bob Austin. She is survived by her brothers, Tony and Doug Wattwood; sister, Shirley Perdue; son, Colin Austin; daughter-in-law, Katie Austin; and two granddaughters, Emerson and Ella.
Services are private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org) or the Land Trust of North Alabama (landtrustnal.org).
