Mary Helen McKinley Austin

Published 12:00 am Saturday, March 24, 2012

Oct. 30, 2012 – March 21, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for Mary Helen McKinley Austin, 91, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, March 21, 2012, will be at 10 a.m. today at Grace United Methodist Church with the Rev. Darian Duckworth officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time today at the church.

Mrs. Austin was born Oct. 30, 1920, in Kirby, the daughter of John A. McKinley and Nancy E. McKinley. After graduating from Natchez High School, she moved to California to work for Lockheed as a “Rosie the Riveter.” After World War II, she moved to Washington state, married, and moved to Wenatchee, Wash. After retiring she moved back to Natchez to be near her family. She was very active in several civic organizations. Two of her favorites were Civitan and Pink Ladies at Natchez Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Austin was a faithful member of Grace Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Austin; her parents; three brothers, James, Bernard and John and his wife, Johnnie Maye; and one sister, Barbara.

Survivors include special cousins, Lillian Mashon, Jimmy and Joan Jones, Buela Dallalio and Pam and Freddie Sandel; and a number of cousins in Washington state, Mississippi and Alabama.

Pallbearers will be Lewie Sandel, Trae Jones, Christian Rachel, Ryan Rachal, Joe Dallalio Jr. and Keith Dallalio.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jay Sandel and Cole Radzewicz.

The family extends their sincere thanks to Dr. Mire, Dr. Kuiper and the nurses and staff in Telemetry at Natchez Regional Medical Center for their compassion and care during Mrs. Austin’s illness.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to her caregivers, Tickey Turner, Sandra Turner and Alice Carter.

The family requests memorials be made to Grace United Methodist Church or to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.