Margaret Small Austin

Margaret Small Austin, age 85, of Pine Bluff, passed away Thursday, September 22, 2022 in Bryant, Ark. Born August 6, 1937, at Calmer (Cleveland County), she was a daughter of the late Fitzhugh Lee "Buck" Small and Lyda Pearl Reed Small. She was the salutatorian of the class of 1955 at Woodlawn High School, where she was an all-star basketball player. For most of her adult life, Mrs. Austin was a homemaker and concentrated on raising her family. Prior to that, she worked for several years at Arkansas Power and Light Company. Later in life, she made custom draperies. She was a longtime member of Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church, and enjoyed camping, cooking, canning, and sewing. She married Charles Everett Austin on August 19, 1955, at Calmer. He predeceased her on September 5, 2003. Also preceding her in death are her siblings, James Small, Allie Small, Charles Small, Leonard Small, and Bobby Small. Survivors include her children, Tony Austin (Debbie) of Jonesboro, Carla Austin Rice (Clay) of Royal, Ark., and Chris Austin (Heather) of Bryant; eight grandchildren, Jimmy Konermann, Beth Gaston, Ashley McGriff, Kara Austin, Zackery Austin, Chance Austin, Nicholas Austin, and Madison Austin; along with four great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Monday, September 26, 2022, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son. The funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m. with Brother Mike Powell officiating. Interment will be in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Cleveland County. For online condolences, please visit www.RalphRobinsonandSon.com