Page 54 - The Scepter - Summer_Fall 2016

Top Ladies of Distinction Remembers…

Lady Orvis Austin, Past National Area I Director passed into our Heav-

enly Father's arms at her home on November 5, 2016, after a brief illness. She
was surrounded and embraced in prayer by her loving family as she peacefully
slipped the bonds of this life. Lady Orvis was born on July 17, 1926, to Leroy
Clarence Bonner and Julia Coleen Black Bonner.
Lady Orvis' childhood education began at the Arkadelphia School. Lady Orvis
attended G.W. Carver High School near Daingerfield, Texas, where she graduated
salutatorian of her class in May 1943. She continued her quest for learning at
Bishop College in Marshall, Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Social Studies in 1947. Lady Austin pursued additional graduate level studies at
Bishop College, Wiley College and Prairie View College, earning her Masters of Education degree from Prairie
View in 1964.
She married her high school sweetheart, Lord Samuel Morrison Austin, Jr., on Christmas Eve 1946. Lord Sam had
just returned from a three-year tour of duty with the Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. To this un-
ion was born one son, Samuel Morrison Austin, III, in February 1961. Lady and Lord Austin enjoyed a loving,
learning, supportive, fun and committed marriage for more than 43 years, until Lord Sam died in May 1989.
Mrs. Austin was a tireless civic leader. She was a faithful member of the Ebenezer (Third) Baptist Church, where
she served as a Deaconess. Over the years, she served in many leadership roles.
Lady Orvis was elected President of the Capital City Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. (TLOD), as well
as TLOD Area One Director. Mrs. Austin was a devoted member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She also held
Lifetime Memberships in the NAACP and the National Council of Negro Women. In addition to her national
leadership, Mrs. Austin was proud to serve locally as President of the Stone Gate Neighborhood Association.
Mrs. Austin is survived by her son, Samuel Austin, III, her daughter-in-law, Marcia Petit Austin, and her beloved
grandson, Samuel Austin, IV, all of Moraga, CA; her brother Burnard Charles Wilson of Little Rock, AR; her spe-
cial first cousins Johnnie B. Black, James Black, Bobbie Nell Black Haynes, Burnice Black, Jr., Shirley Black Baker
Shields; her treasured nieces and nephews Janice, Retha, Andrea, Shundra, Bobby, Barbara, Burnett and Retha K.;
her grandnieces and grandnephews; her sisters-in-law Mary Pritchett and Carolyn Smith; her special "chosen
daughters", Wardaleen F. Belvin and Barbara F. Wilson; her Ebenezer (Third) Baptist Church family; sorors of
Delta Sigma Theta; sisters of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.; and a host of extended family, supportive friends
and former students.