Laurel Ann Phillips "Sissy" Austin,

Laurel Ann Phillips Austin, fondly known as “Sissy,” was born September 20, 1941, and died Thursday, August 29, 2024, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.  Sissy left us peacefully at home surrounded by family, friends and her beloved puppy companion, Buster.

 

Laurel Ann became “Sissy” when her brother Andy proclaimed, “I have a baby Sissy!” when she was born.  She joined Andy and their parents Annie Laurie and Wallace (Windmill) Phillips in their home on the Lon Morris College campus in Jacksonville, Texas.

 

Sissy was born and raised in Jacksonville, Texas.  She graduated Jacksonville High School as Valedictorian of her class then attended University of Oklahoma.  At OU she graduated with honors in 1963 earning a Bachelor of Science Degree studying mathematics, physics and computer science.

 

Sissy was active in campus activities being a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and honored by Alpha Lambda Delta (Scholastic), Tassels, Mortar Board, “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities” as well as being cited as “Big Woman on Campus.”

 

While in college at OU, Sissy visited NASA in Houston where she noticed that one of the engineers was struggling with a mathematical problem. She asked for a pencil, quickly solved the equation, put the pencil down, and smiled. After graduating she was recruited by NASA, where she started in June 1963 as one of the first female aerospace engineers, and later at a private consulting firm, TRW Systems in Houston.  Her team created “Orbit Determinations,” developing model equations and computer programming used in the Apollo 11 projects to track missions.

 

Sissy transitioned from NASA Engineer to Banker when she returned to Jacksonville.  She and Jeff married on September 18, 1971, at their home on Lake Jacksonville and cherished more than 53 years together.  Jeff came to the marriage with three children: Jeff III, Mary Margaret and Carole Leigh.  Each will eagerly attest that Sissy loved them as her own and mothered them with pride and supported their pursuits.  She was blessed with the gift of six beautiful and adoring grandchildren.

 

Sissy was a member of the Austin Bank leadership team for many years.  She served as Chief Lending Officer, Investment Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Austin Bank and Austin Bancorp, Inc.  She graduated from Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU in 1977 and was a 2022 recipient of the Texas Bankers Association “50 Year” Banker award.

 

Sissy was the first female Chair of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.  Barnes Broiles, former editor of Jacksonville Daily Progress newspaper wrote: “With our Sissy as the leader of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, expect great accomplishments.”

 

She was bestowed many honors: including Jacksonville Citizen of the Year; Woman of the Year from the Business and Professional Women Organization.

 

She exemplified the spirit of community service as Chairman of the Board of Regents of Stephen F. Austin University; Chairman of the Cherokee Country Club; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville; Chairman of Trinity Mother Frances Hospital System; East Texas Hospice Board member and numerous other civic and non-profit organizations.  Pi Beta Phi sorority was dear to her heart.  She was Director of Finance for the Arrowmont School of Arts founded by Pi Beta Phi in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

 

Lake Jacksonville was a cornerstone of Sissy’s life and continued throughout she and Jeff’s life together.  They made their home on the lake and always welcomed friends and family.  As teenagers, Sissy, her brother Andy and friends would entertain crowds with their water-skiing skills of making five-person pyramids, slalom skiing and other tricks.  She taught many children and adults to ski, ride floats, jet ski and enjoy swimming.

 

Sissy loved to entertain and never missed an opportunity to plan a party or gathering of friends, family and even strangers.  She set a beautiful table filled with delicious signature dishes and gently reminded us of Emily Post’s rules of etiquette.  Rarely did anyone turn down an invitation to enjoy Sissy’s cooking and join in the fun.  Some of her favorite gatherings were impromptu, as friends often stopped by or pulled up in their boats, leading to many great memories.

 

Sissy and Jeff shared countless adventures together – including water skiing, snow skiing in Colorado, camping, cruising the world, canoe trips, motorbiking, hunting, Fourth of July Cookouts, saltwater fishing and road trips.  She entertained with card tricks and Treasure Hunts.  She also enjoyed playing Bridge and Mahjong.  Happy places for Sissy and Jeff were at the beach in the Gulf of Mexico, the Rocky Mountains and the rolling hills and piney woods of East Texas.  She earned her airplane pilot's license in record time.

 

They worked side-by-side at the bank for many years and had an unmatched love for each other.  As Parkinson’s disease began to limit Sissy’s physical abilities, she still enjoyed boat riding, watching water activities, sunrises and sunsets from their lakeside deck on Lake Jacksonville and enjoying visits from friends and family.

 

Sissy was an approachable and sincere mentor.  As a trailblazer for progress, she shared her knowledge with fellow bankers, customers, friends and other advice seekers.  She once told a prospective customer who was comparing interest rates with other banking institutions: “You may go to other banks who offer a cheaper rate, but you will not have me as your banker.”  The customer agreed and became a long-time friend and customer of the bank.

 

A common phrase around the bank is: “If at first you don’t succeed, try doing it the way Sissy told you.”  These words will always ring true and many of us will always ask ourselves: “What would Sissy do?”

 

Buster, Sissy’s faithful companion and guardian of many years, will be lonely with the passing of Sissy.  He will miss sleeping in her bed, begging her for food and being her constant shadow.

 

As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Sissy has finished the race, but she will live on in all of us.

 

Sissy was preceded in death by her parents, Annie Laurie and W. A (Windmill) Phillips, brother Andy Phillips, cousin Cindy Chamberlain and friend Lynn McCollum.

 

Sissy is survived by her devoted husband, Jeff.  She was especially proud of Jeff III, Mary, and Leigh, along with their families: Jeff Austin III (wife Becky) and children, Blynn Austin Walsh (husband Kyle), Emily Austin, Abby Tillson and Taylor Tillson Johnson (husband Cameron) and great-granddaughter Cline Johnson; Mary Austin and children, Nicholas Austin Vann and AnnieLaurie Noelle Vann; Leigh Austin Mattson (husband James) and children, Andrew James Mattson and Lauren Leigh Mattson.  Sissy is also survived by her niece, Brandi Phillips Chilian (husband Peter) and their children, Cook and Wyatt Chilian; sister-in-law Susan Phillips, and sister-in-law Jane Austin Chapman (husband Bob); and our long-time friend Jaime Moreira.

 

Cousins: Terry and Darby Dorman, Rex and Karen Chamberlian, John F. Austin III and wife Carol; Mary Austin Moody; Austin and Sarah Thacker and Cynthia Porter Gordon.

 

Nieces and nephews: Michael Austin (Jennifer) Neill and children, Austin Neill and Jessica (Neill) Swinnea, husband, Calvin; Kathryn Neill (Paul) Woods and children, Aubrey Venegas and Abby Woods.

 

She is also survived by her “Near Family” her Austin Bank Associates past and present who worked closely with her.

 

Dr. George Plotkin and Dr. James Low plus their respective offices were with Sissy every step of this battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  We are thankful for their professionalism, advice, love and respect.

 

The family would like to give special recognition to Sissy’s home care team for their prayers, laughs, smiles, devotion and love for her consisting of our longtime friend, Jaime Moreira, long time athletic trainers, Tonya Foluke and Patty Birdwell; Joyce Dennis Hinton, Rachel ‘The Queen’ Ramsey, Delia Mendez, Sue Pope, C. J. Jones, Atoya (Krickitt) Washington, Heather Baker and Elizabeth Reagan.  These compassionate individuals provided gentle care and support for Sissy during the last years of her life. A special thanks to Amy Benefield, RN, for her care and devotion during Sissy’s illness and Regina Canady for her delicious food.

A celebration of Sissy’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 3rd, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Methodist Church: 1031 SE Loop 456, Jacksonville TX, with the Rev Bonnie Osteen officiating.

 

Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Loop 456, Jacksonville, Texas.

 

In honoring Sissy, the family asks that you perform an unsolicited act of kindness for someone in need.  In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to The Hospice of East Texas (4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701) and the Jacksonville Education Foundation (P.O. Box 631, Jacksonville, TX 75766).

 

Thank you Sissy, for your love, patience, laughs and all the good times.  Sweet dreams.