Judy Barker Austin

Judy Barker Austin, 69, passed away Nov. 15.

Born Judy Marie Barker, she grew up in Vina, where she was a highly accomplished Red Devil. Judy attended Northwest Community College where she was head cheerleader, was voted Best Dressed by her peers and could often be found in the student center playing ping pong.

After graduating from Northwest, Judy transferred to the University of Alabama where she earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in secondary education and business. She proudly supported her alma mater and was a lifelong, emphatic Alabama football fan.

Judy taught in Tuscaloosa as a business professor at Shelton State Community College. It was during this time that she met and married Ron Austin. They began a family and were blessed with three beautiful children: Stephen, Jennifer and Katie.

By the time she retired from Shelton State, she had become the head of the business department and received a second master’s degree in counseling and psychology from the University of West Alabama.

After her retirement from Shelton State, Judy and her children returned to her Franklin County roots. She served as a counselor, adjunct professor and director of the Franklin County Family Services Center. She settled in Centerville, Iowa, where she continued her legacy teaching business and psychology at Indian Hills Community College.

She became passionate about her new community. Judy enriched the community through her service. She loved people and genuinely celebrated their existence. She will be greatly missed, and the world is undoubtedly a better place for having had her in it.

Judy is survived by her son, Stephen Austin; daughter Jenny Austin Little (Dan); daughter Katie Austin Karkow (David); brothers Ros Barker and Ronald Barker; grandchildren Austin and Dean Little; stepdaughter Christi Smith (Randy) and their son, Cameron; as well as countless family and friends throughout the country. Judy is preceded in death by her parents Buford and Tam Barker and brother John Barker.

Judy will be laid to rest in Alabama at Sparks Chapel Cemetery Nov. 28 at 1:30 p.m.