(Updated) Sylvia Lee (Sprayberry) Austin

Mrs. Sylvia Lee Sprayberry Austin, age 83, of Trion, GA, passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at her home surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Austin was born March 25, 1935, in Trion, GA, daughter of the late James Herman Sprayberry and Suda Mae Sprayberry Powell. She was a member of Trion First Baptist Church, and prior to her retirement, was employed with Trion Drugs. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Austin was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, J. W. Austin; son, Frankie Patterson; a sister, Jacqueline Powell Cochran; step-father, Howard Powell; sons-in-law, Jerry Edwards and Jeff Chandler.

Besides being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she loved her Almighty Savior in which she served as Sunday School Teacher of the Adult Women and Assistant Teacher in various churches throughout Chattooga County. Mrs. Austin was a member of the Trion First Baptist Church Choir and Assistant Sunday School Teacher of the Lydia Class. She was also a member of the “Joy Group” of the church. She loved to sing with her family which was known as “The Millionaire Gospel Singers” and “The Hayes Family,” spreading God’s word in son and testimony.

Mrs. Austin was a seamstress for Gospel groups in the county. Not only did she sew for the public, but for her daughters. She loved people. When she saw someone that was sick and needed help, she would cook a meal for them. Mrs. Austin loved to laugh and she enjoyed talking and visiting with people. If there was a need, she tried to help. She was not just a wife, mother, and grandmother, but was a friend who considered others needs. Mrs. Austin was employed for 10 years with Trion Drugs until her health failed. She and her late husband were the owners and operators of Trion Cleaners.

Mrs. Austin is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Melody Edwards, Lynn and Ricky Lanier, Sandra and Verlon Bethune, and Karen Chandler; a sister, Tammia Powell Drake; god-daughter, Arley Cruz; grandchildren, Jerri Kaye and Robbie Turner, Matthew and Jessica Lanier, Hope and Danny Calaway, Daniel Lanier and Paige Robbins, Trace and Paige Bethune, Nakia and Taylor Knott, Blake Bethune, Courtney and Joey Browning, Hayden Chandler; great-grandchildren, Jerid Turner, Kyra and Kaymin Calaway, Kasen and Kaleb Lanier, Josh and Juliana Robbins, Devyn and Beau Knott, and Keegan Bethune; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mrs. Austin will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, July 23, 2018, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Rob Bray, Bro. Steve Peppers and Pastor Casey Bramlett officiating. Interment will follow in West Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be grandsons and include Matthew Lanier, Daniel Lanier, Trace Bethune, Blake Bethune, Hayden Chandler, and Taylor Knott. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Trion First Baptist Church Choir, the Lydia Sunday School Class, Tab and Sue Gable, Jimmy and Dollie Rosato, The Joy Group, employees of Trion Drugs, Johnny and Cindi Gilreath, Sammy and Eriko Locklear, Brenda and Charles Littlejohn, James and Elvia Berry, Tim and Kathy Thompson, Tommy and Susan Thompson, Sandra and Steve Peppers, Linda Hancock, Ray Hancock, and Sandy Hancock, Hope Howard, Gwen Bentley, Billy Locklear, Effie Hayes and Family, Faye Norman and Family, Pat Selman, Evelyn Wofford, Charlotte and Jimmy Hall, Barbara Smith Woods, Nellie Wilbanks, Martha Oliver, Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Sprayberry, Kathy Ray, the nurses at Heyman Hospice, and the staff of Redmond Oncology Department.

Mrs. Austin will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Sunday.