Charlotte Griffith Austin

Charlotte Griffith Austin, beloved mother, cherished wife, educator, and pastor, went to meet her Lord on May 25, 2021.

Charlotte was born Charlotte Temple Griffith in Temple, Texas on April 16, 1941. She was an elementary school teacher, principal of Kilgore Intermediate School, and finally a Methodist minister, spending most of her time as pastor of McCary's Chapel United Methodist Church in Liberty City, Texas. After retiring, she was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Kilgore, Texas.

Charlotte is survived by her two sons, Channing William Bryant of Haslet, Texas and Bradley Thomas Bryant of Frisco, Texas. John Calvin Austin, her husband of three decades, went ahead of her to meet the Lord 5 years earlier. Channing is the husband of Jamie Bryant and father of Charlotte's only grandson, Aiden Bryant. Bradley lives with his wife Tammy Bryant and their daughter Jessilyn Tran. Charlotte is also survived by sisters Melissa Balusek of Roundrock, Texas and Kim Relph of Austin, Texas.

Charlotte was a passionate educator and faithful servant of the Lord her entire life. Soon after giving birth to her first son, Channing, she opened a small preschool so she could continue to educate while spending time with her son. Then she went back to teaching at a Christian school in Houston. After moving to Kilgore, she taught first grade at Chandler Elementary for several years before becoming a principal at Eastview and Elder. Later as the first-ever principal of Kilgore Intermediate School, she opened each day with an inspirational message to students and staff. Charlotte didn't stop there with her love of education. She went on to teach the most important of things - the good news of Jesus Christ. Now she gets to learn at the feet of the Great Teacher in heaven.

Visitation will be held on Saturday June 5, 2021 at 1 pm at Rader Funeral Home of Kilgore with funeral services to follow at 2 pm.

Flowers may be sent to Rader Funeral Home of Kilgore. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the Alzheimer's Association at 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or www.alz.org