Janice Marie Austin

Janice Marie Austin affectionately known as “Lil Bit” and Coach Austin was born May 5, 1953, in Jacksonville, North Carolina to Herman Austin and Leontine White-Lampkin. 

At a young age, she moved to Gary, Indiana, and was baptized at Tarrytown Missionary Baptist Church in the early ’60s.  She is a product of the Gary Public School Corporation and attended Lincoln Elementary School, Locke Elementary School,  and Tolleston High School, and a proud graduate of West Side High School class of 1971. 

She was a member of numerous clubs in high school, but her favorite was being a cheerleader.  “Rah Rah sis boom bah”.  After graduation, she entered the workforce as an Administrative Assistant employed by Merchandise Mart, Office of the Gary City Clerk, and Marblehead Lime from 1979-2014.  

She also was known as Coach Austin, cheerleading coach for the mighty mighty West Side cougars from 1978-2016.  She wouldn’t sit still…she couldn’t sit still, so she went to work at her beloved St. Timothy Community Church.  She was an active member of the May Birthday Group, Senior Usher Board, GRACE Dance Ministry, the Rebecca Group, and the Women’s Fellowship.  She greeted you with a smile and always asked, " how I can help you ?"

Until a sudden illness and her untimely departure from her earthly home January 16, 2022 and entered her eternal home.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Leontine Austin. She leaves to cherish her memories her loving and devoted sons Andre’ (Lavanita) Kelly, and Aaron (Daree) Austin;  nine grandchildren, Briana, Brian, Antionita, Erin, Jordan, Kaelyn, Anthony, Alex, and Aiden;  six precious great- granddaughters JaBria, Sa’Niya, Devyn, Bri’Elle, Destiny, and SaVannah; fiancé, Mr. Rudley Leland Sr.;  sisters and brothers Valerie (Steve) Gillmore, William (Hilda) Lampkin, Deborah Lampkin, Brenda Lampkin Blakemore, Barry (Yolanda) Lampkin, Arlean Leland, and Kim Leland; aunt Barbara White, uncle Frederick White, uncle Richard (Barbara) White, uncle Gordon (Carol) White, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to truly cherish her memory. 

Visitation will be Saturday, January 29, 2022,  9:00 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. with Homegoing Services from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. from St. Timothy Community Church 1600 West 25th Ave. Gary, Indiana.  Interment Ridgelawn Cemetery.

The service will be live-streamed on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 11:00 CST.  To view, the service go to https://sttimothychurch.org/

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