Frances Vivian (Owens) Austin

Frances Vivian (Owens) Austin of Abbeville, SC was called to her everlasting reward on June 13, 2022, at Temple Hills, Maryland after a long bout with a medical condition. Frances was born in Abbeville SC to Whit and Gertrude Rollinson Owens on July 3, 1938. She was educated in the Abbeville School system, graduating from J. S. Wright High School in 1956. She graduated from the South Carolina State College with a Bachelor’s degree in Library Science. She was an avid reader and continued her growth and development when she earned a Master of Science in Library Science degree from the University of Washington D.C. Frances was married to Lawrence Austin of Lake Wales, Florida. From this union Joyce Vivian Austin was born. This family moved to the District of Columbia area where they were both employed. Frances was employed by the Washington, D.C. School system as a Librarian and remained there until her retirement.  

Frances was raised in the church and became a member of St. Peter AME church as a young child and maintained her membership in the greater DC area as a member of the Metropolitan AME church. She was active in the church, was a Sunday school class leader, and sang in the choir. She was a long-term and very active member of the Washington, DC Chapter of the South Carolina State University Alumni Association and remained so until her untimely passing.  

During her academic life she became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and maintained her affiliation throughout her adult life. Frances became a life member and golden soror and served with pride in all aspects of the sorority.  She was preceded in death by her parents Whit and Gertrude Owens and her daughter Joyce V. Austin. She leaves to cherish her memory, her sister Gwendolyn O. Bruce (Scotty) of Chesapeake, VA, niece Sonja M. Bruce of Bowie MD, and numerous family members and friends.
 

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