| Sources |
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 19 Mar 2004.
Lucy Jane Fine McGaha obituary
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 26 Jan 2010.
Danzel “Bus” Austin obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 27 Aug 2015.
Great-granddaughter comes to the rescue
J.L.’s light in the darkness of dementia
Alexa Austin, left, sits with her great-grandfather J.L. Austin on a bench in the garden of Brookdale Newport’s Memory Care Unit. The elder Austin suffers from rapid onset dementia.
BY DUAY O’NEIL NPT Assistant Editor
NEWPORT—Last October, J.L. Austin was about as hale and hearty an 87-year-old as could be found in Cocke County.
The last surviving child of John and Mollie (Knowles) Austin, J.L. lived in Wilsonville, in a neat, well-kept home in Runnion Addition, where numerous handcrafted birdhouses and yard sculptures crafted by the Korean War veteran decorated the property.
He still drove his little black truck anywhere he wanted to go, pitched in to help his son Chris in the operation of Manes Funeral Home, and trashed any and all opponents who dared challenge him to a game of checkers.
He delighted in telling his grandson Andy Austin how he once drove the 1928 Dodge car the younger Austin had recently purchased and doted on his great-granddaughter Alexa.
The twice-widowed U.S. Army veteran lived independently in the home he shared with his second wife Wilma, mowed his yard, and delighted in his family and friends.
Then everything went haywire.
Following a minor automobile accident, J.L.’s family began to notice little changes that rapidly escalated to the point where it became necessary for someone to stay with him at all times, twenty-four hours a day.
He turned 88 on Nov. 30, and by February of 2015, his mental condition had worsened to the point where he could no longer remain at home.
He moved to Wellington Place (now Brookdale), initially living in the assisted living facility “out front,” interacting with other residents and having his meals in the dining room. He still retained recognition skills, especially when visited by his family, including son and daughter-in-law Chris and Conchita Austin, grandson Andy and his wife Amy, and great-granddaughter Alexa, whose devotion and care for J.L. has impressed not only her family but the staff and administration at the facility.
“Alexa has been with J.L. every step of the way,” said Conchita, “helping set up and decorate his first room here.”
This past July J.L.’s physical condition worsened.
“One morning he couldn’t get up,” explained Conchita. “The day before he could walk better than I can.”
Initially J.L.’s family thought he might have suffered a stroke, but medical tests revealed a brain tumor.
While his walking abilities have returned, his memory loss intensified to the point he needed even more care.
“J.L. moved into Brookdale’s memory care unit, one of 13 patients residing in the “back part” of the facility.
“It’s quiet and peaceful, with a private garden,” said Conchita. Prominent in the garden is a metal bench painted purple in anticipation of the upcoming Alzheimer’s Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26.
“Alexa again helped set up J.L.’s room,” Conchita explained. “She even fixed his memory board for him.”
Not only does Alexa visit her great-grandfather daily, she also helps with Brookdale’s activity days. “She loves to help with bingo, calling the numbers,” Conchita said.
Alexa has also become involved with the Memory Care Unit’s 12 other residents. ”They’ve become my friends,” the Newport Grammar School seventh-grader explained.
On a recent Saturday morning, Alexa enjoyed “playing checkers” with J.L. “A few weeks ago,” said Conchita, “nobody could have beaten him. Today he has trouble remaining focused on the game.”
However, glimmers of memory remain, such as J.L.’s sudden insistence that Alexa “crown his king” during the game.
“He loves Hershey’s and Pepsi’s,” said Alexa, “and he carries my picture in his pocket all the time.”
In addition to her daily visits to J.L., Alexa is also hard at work raising funds for Alzheimer’s Tennessee.
“One day after discussing the upcoming Alzheimer’s walk with Alexa, she left our community and immediately had Conchita take her shopping for material to get started on her fundraising project,” said Gidget Dailey, Brookdale Newport’s sales manager. “Later that night Conchita sent me a picture of Alexa sewing her keychain chap stick holders and the following day I was able to purchase one. Alexa has a beautiful sweet spirit, and I’m blessed to call her my friend.”
When complimented on her sewing skills, Alexa smiled and said, “I just started sewing and this came out. I made about 35 and I’ve sold a bunch since I started on Aug. 1.”
She’s also made heating packs filled with uncooked rice. “You just heat them in a microwave and they’re good to go,” said Conchita.
Alexa’s dad Andy and granddad Chris will be walking with the Brookdale Newport team on Sat., Sept. 26, at Pigeon Forge High School in the Alzheimer’s Tennessee walk.
Alexa will be there, too, reporting for duty at 6 a.m. to help care for pets.’”People will be walking with their pets that day,” she explained, “and I’ll be taking care of them, making sure they have water and food until the walk begins.”
Alexa’s dog Izzy will be one of those pets. “She’s a Llasa Apso and will be wearing a purple tutu and in a stroller,” said Alexa.
“On Friday, Sept. 18, we’ll have a fall harvest festival, and while Alexa will be in school, visitors can purchase her items from me that day,” Dailey continued. “We’ll also have gently used name-brand purses, jewelry, scarves, and other accessories to sell that day to benefit Alzheimer’s Tennessee.”
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 13 Sep 2015.
(November 30, 1926 - September 13, 2015)
U.S. Veteran JL Austin, age 88, of Newport passed away Sunday, September 13, 2015. He was a member of Wilsonville Baptist Church. He was a Veteran having served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was an employee of the Manes Funeral Home where he set tents for over 25 years. He was preceded in death by his wives, Eunice Moore Austin and Wilma Fine Austin; his parents, seven brothers and one sister. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Conchita Austin; daughter and son-in-law, Deanie and Kent Lamb; daughter, Marsha Johnson; grandchildren, Andy and Amy Austin, Brandon and Stacie Gilland, Kelley and Parker Armstrong; great-grandchildren, Alexa Austin, who was the light in his darkness of Dementia, Spencer Gilland and Ally Armstong; all the staff at Manes Funeral Home and many other special family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at Manes Funeral Home Chapel with Jerry Austin officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery. Those who wish my sign the register at the funeral home anytime Tuesday prior to the funeral. Those who wish can make donations to a Church or Charity of Choice. Family and friends may sign the guest register online at www.manesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Manes Funeral Home.
- [S147] Find a Grave, (Memorial: 152260932).
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Name: John Austin
Birth Date:
Birthplace:
Age:
Spouse's Name: Mollie Knowles
Spouse's Birth Date:
Spouse's Birthplace:
Spouse's Age:
Event Date: 01 Jul 1906
Event Place: Cocke, Tennessee
Father's Name:
Mother's Name:
Spouse's Father's Name:
Spouse's Mother's Name:
Race:
Marital Status:
Previous Wife's Name:
Spouse's Race:
Spouse's Marital Status:
Spouse's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: I03562-1
System Origin: Tennessee-EASy
GS Film number: 1928642
Reference ID: 585
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Name Eunice Moore
Event Type Marriage
Event Date 05 Jan 1952
Event Place Hamblen, Tennessee, United States
Gender Female
Spouse's Name J L Austin
Page 290
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