Bertha “Darlene” Austin, age 99, of Wellston, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2015, at the Jenkins Care Community in Wellston. She was born June 11, 1915 in Wellston, Ohio to the late Charles William Grant and Lucy Mae Copas Grant. Darlene was a former employee of the Hercules Trouser Company in Wellston for several years, and was also a nanny, babysitter and domestic servant for over 40 years. She formerly attended the First Baptist Church in Wellston, was a former Republican Central Committee member in the fourth ward, and was the last of the “Rosie the Riveters”.
Darlene is survived by 3 daughters, Doris Holden of Riverside, California, Carol Morgan of Leesburg, Florida and Connie Lammers of Milford, Ohio; sister, Mary Vance of Akron; 3 nieces, Joyce Grant, Elaine Bryant and Jeannie Meyers; 2 nephews, Danny Vance and Terry Grant (Dora), as well as 7 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Clifford Austin in 1952; sister, Mildred Compston, and brothers, Tom, Charlie, John, Herb and T.A. Grant.
Private funeral services were held on Thursday at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston with Pastor Tim Jones officiating. Burial followed in the Fairmount Cemetery in Jackson. Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com