Doreen Francita Austin

Doreen Francita “Ann” Haynes Austin, age seventy, whom has resided in El Paso, Texas for the last forty years, passed away Saturday, February 8th, 2020. She was originally of St. Michael’s Parish Barbados West Indies. Doreen was born on May 12, 1949. She graduated from The Modern School and attended the 1st Baptist Church in Barbados where she was named Captain of the bus ministry, sang in Junior and Senior choirs and served as a Sunday School Teacher. It was on this quaint island in the Caribbean she met and fell in love with Everick Austin. They were married in Hawaii after he enlisted in the ARMY where she gained US citizenship and they went on to have six children. Doreen took an active, hands-on approach to motherhood by becoming a Room Mom, President of the Parent Teacher Association, Secretary and Treasurer at Parkland Elementary School. She was on the Parkland High Campus Improvement Committee and as well as a Volunteer Coordinator and served on several other school committees. Doreen also helped establish Desertaire Elementary school, in her neighborhood where her youngest sons attended. She worked closely with the Ysleta Independent School District board members and superintendent She served as Girl Scout Troop and area Leader. Doreen describes her volunteer service as evangelism in her journal writings. Doreen was a devoted homemaker and garden keeper. Her garden held profound meaning and she derived peace and resolve in reviving plants and planting new ones, from season to season. She loved to listen, sing and dance to Christian Contemporary music. She enjoyed meditating and journaling her thoughts about her family, faith, and love for her Creator. Doreen was a beloved friend and counselor. Her friendship and faith-driven guidance was sought after not only by folks in her geographical location but in communities beyond her own backyard. She became Grandma Austin twelve years ago and took this role very seriously and with reverence. Hearing her grandchildren play in the house and swim in the pool filled her hear to the brim with joy. Doreen’s faith was instilled during her youth from her grandmother “Mom”, and her back yard pool baptisms (“the Grandma Austin dunk”) was a rite of passage to swim in the family pool. Doreen’s Legacy is choosing joy, the importance of family and searching for ways and willingness to love unconditionally. Her daily bible readings and devotionals will show all the places she highlighted, underlined and underlined again, just with one glance. Biblical inspiration, good advice from the Lord and words that resonated with her on a deep level are a tangible example of her unwavering adoration of God and her enduring allegiance to love. She is preceded in death by her Grandmother “Mom” Rita Elise Eversley, her parents Seymour Alfonso Thorpe and Felicia Marion Haynes Collymore Ray. She is also preceded in death by her siblings David St.Clair Haynes, Jefferson McDonald Haynes, Erwin Adolfus Haynes, Orson Mark Anthony Haynes all of Barbados. She is survived by siblings Fiona Nicola Collymore, Andrew Ryan “Junie” Collymore, Sherrilene Collymore. She is survived by her adoring husband, retired US ARMY Master Sergeant Everick Esmond Austin, Everick Alexander Austin Jr. Lisa Leilani Lelm (Dean Lelm), Kimberly Kay Mbadinga Nzamba (Eric Mbadinga Nzamba), Cindy Wailani Thomas (Drew Thomas), Steven Lee Austin (Liliana Austin), Matthew Ryan Austin (Mia Austin). Her 9 grandchildren, Daniel, Vanessa, Alyssa, Austin, Carson, Hayleana Grace, Stevanee, Mattison, Marley, 1 Stepgrandson Mateo. Graveside service: She will be laid to rest at Fort Bliss Cemetary Date TBD The family would like to express our thanks to Grandview Home Health and CIMA Hospice Flowers and Condolences may be sent to the family at 10741 Opalstone St. El Paso TX 79924 Visitation will be from 11:00am - 12:30pm with a Funeral Service to follow at 12:35pm on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Del Sol Church Northeast, 6815 S. Angora Loop Ave. All services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home - Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass. Please visit Doreen's online registry at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net