Bettie Austin was born on March 8,1941 to May Octavia (Lee) and William Henry Austin. Bette was a twin, she was born at home during a big snowstorm, her twin did not survive. She is the fifth child out of six. Bettie received her education through the Philadelphia public school system. As a child Bettie was a wanderer. She often wandered out of the neighborhood, and no one could find her. All the neighborhood children would follow her. Her mom said she did not mind wandering, but she did not like that all the neighborhood children went with her. There was a lot of explaining to do when children were found. Her mom thought she was looking for her twin or she was going to become an explorer. Bettie was always the go to for babysitting her family and friends' children. She babysat all her nieces, and nephews and as they got older and had children of their own she babysat them, too. She was so good at taking care of people both young and old. She was good to the neighborhood children. They would affectionately call her Aunt Bett when they came over to the house or they saw her on the street. After having her daughter. She went to work as a nursing assistant. She worked with the elderly. She loved her work. Her patients always had nice things to say about her. She worked both private duty and in nursing homes. She did this until she retired at 75 due to declining health. Bettie was preceded in death by her mother and father May and William Austin, also her five siblings Lucy, William, Gene, Thelma and George. She leaves behind a daughter Sharon and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

POEM

My Mother

My Mother, my best friend. She was the one you could always depend on. She stuck with me in good times and bad times. She was always there for me lending a hand. I could not have asked for a more caring soul to be my mother. She listened to all my cares and woes, without judgement. She sat in silence with me. I treasure the time we spent together. A lifetime of tears, laughs and conversation. I thank her for all the memories. I will cherish her forever. It is now my final good-bye to tell her I love her and will miss her dearly. I thank God for letting her be my mother. Good-bye mom I love you Sharon