Barbara Jeanette Austin, 60

NEW CASTLE - Barbara Jeanette Austin of New Castle passed away at home on Monday, May 21, 2007. She was 60.

She was born in Horntown, Va., on Aug. 26, 1946, to Marion Townsend-Austin and the late William Lee Austin.

She received her education on the Eastern Shore of Virginia before moving to Delaware in 1970.

Accepting Christ at an early age, Barbara was a devoted member of Battalion Deliverance Assembly in Wilmington at her passing. Taking her grandchildren to church and enjoying fellowship with the saints were among her favorite things to look forward to.

Barbara loved all children. In addition to the ones she formally raised, she was well-known throughout the neighborhood for reaching out a helping hand to many young people.

Her encouragement and support was respected and appreciated as she touched many people with a smile and a kind word.

One of the highlights of Barbara"s life was spending quality time with her sister, Ester. They were inseparable. Their favorite pastime was shopping. Barbara also enjoyed traveling to Virginia.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Valine Austin.

Barbara is survived by seven children, Vallice Austin, Rena Encarnac-ion, Ticola and her husband, Islmail Hassan-El, all of Wilmington, Gwen and her husband, Otis Hamm of New Castle, Robert Austin of Pittsburgh, Lenny McDaniel of Wilmington and Dedrick McDaniel of Arizona; three sisters, Ester Austin and Mary and her husband, Freddie Dividue of Wilmington and Betty and her husband, Elvis Wallop of Horntown; seven brothers, Larry Austin and Donald Austin of Wilmington, Arville Austin, Billy Austin, LaMonte and her husband, Evelyn Johnson, Tusserie Cropper and Karmitia Lewis of Horntown; 28 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two godchildren, Nickie Austin and Ashia Wright and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Friends and family may call today from 5-7 p.m. at Battalion Deliverance Assembly, 227 Chestnut St., Wilmington.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in Dee"s Chapel in Horntown, Va.

Burial will immediately follow at the church cemetery.

Arrangements are by Bennie Smith Funeral Home.