Judy Barker Austin passed away on November 15, 2023. She valiantly fought many illnesses before suffering a pulmonary embolism causing her heart’s last beat. Before that heart gave out, it pumped a lot of love into this world. Born Judy Marie Barker, Judy grew up in Vina, Alabama, where she was a highly accomplished Red Devil. She was her school’s feature twirler, majorette, and an All-A student who managed to graduate at sixteen.
Judy attended Northwest Community College where she was head cheerleader, voted Best Dressed by her peers, and could often be found in the student center playing ping pong. After graduating from Northwest, Judy transferred to The University of Alabama where she received undergraduate and graduate degrees in secondary education and business. While she studied at UA, she became a member of the University Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa. She lent her beautiful alto voice to its traveling choir and made some of her fondest memories. She proudly supported her alma mater and was a lifelong, emphatic Alabama football fan.
Following a year spent teaching in Wisconsin, Judy began her career as a business professor at Shelton State Community College. It was during this time that she met and married Ron Austin. They began a family and were blessed with three beautiful children: Stephen, Jennifer, and Katie. By the time she retired from Shelton State, she had become the head of the business department and received a second masters degree in counseling and psychology from the University of West Alabama.
After her retirement from Shelton State, Judy and her children returned to her Franklin County roots. She served as a counselor, adjunct professor, and director of the Franklin County Family Services Center. She also spent her spare time writing and editing novels with her brother Ros. She briefly worked for the State of Florida near her stepdaughter in Tallahassee.
Judy’s love for life took her on adventures across the globe, spanning all fifty states, Europe, and even Centerville, Iowa. Never one to meet a stranger; she thrived here. She continued her legacy teaching business and psychology at Indian Hills Community College and became passionate about her new community. She soon joined the Centerville Concert Association, Garden Club, two book clubs, and became a lay minister at Centerville First Presbyterian Church. Judy also authored two books Always Take the High Road and Things My Mama Said, traveled the country conducting seminars, and substitute taught.
Judy truly helped enrich the community through her service. She loved people and celebrated their existences, genuinely. No matter where life took her she was always the first to tell jokes and make every moment feel like an adventure. She will be greatly missed and the world is undoubtedly a better place having had her in it.
Judy is survived by her son, Stephen Austin; daughter, Jenny Little (Dan); daughter, Katie Austin Karkow (David); brothers, Ros Barker and Ronald Barker; grandchildren, Austin and Dean Little; step-daughter, Christi Smith (Randy) and their son, Cameron and countless family and friends throughout the country.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Buford and Tam Barker and brother, John Barker.
She will be laid to rest in Alabama, Tuesday, November 28, 1:30 p.m.at Sparks Chapel Cemetery with her parents and brother. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the family and will be distributed to organizations that Judy held close to her heart. Memorials may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Austin Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome. Deaton Funeral Home, Red Bay, AL will be in charge of local arrangements.
