OBITUARY: Angie DeLila Byrd Austin-Cope, 30 Nov, 2001, Coke County, TX ************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb Submitted by Sandy Hayley - memehayley@yahoo.com 3 May 2002 ************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise, 30 Nov 2001, Robert Lee, TX AUSTIN-COPE Angie DeLila Byrd Austin-Cope, 93, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, died Saturday, November 24, 2001 at the Robert Lee Care Center, surrounded by family, Memorial service was conducted by Loren Quick and John Mulford, November 27, 2001 at 2:00 pm at the Robert Lee Recreation Center, followed by burial at the Sanco Cemetary. Pall bearers were her grandson, Monty Austin, James Taylor, Stephen Taylor, Travis Austin, Ted Bruckner, Warren Taylor, Garrett Taylor, and Clayton Austin. Born in Coke County in 1908, she was the daughter of Wylie and Eva Nunn Byrd, Coke County pioneers. She attended Graham Valley Schools and was graduated from Sanger Texas High School before marrying Isham Austin, son of Jordan and Arminta DeLong Austin. Traveling to colorado on their honeymoon, they returned to the Austin ranch northof Robert Lee, to begin their ranching life and to start a family. They eventually had six children and a deep, rich love of God and family. Widowed in 1959, she lived in Tulia, Texas for three years, where she sewed for the public and sat with the elderly. She was married briefly to George Cope, until his death. In her early years, she studied oil painting with Miss Mollie Everett at the Graham Valley School. Years later, widowed and visiting her daughter, she took drawing classes at the Flint, Michigan Art Center. While visiting grandchildren in New Jersey, she studied painting techniques with William Gorman. Back in Coke County, she painted scenes of country life, fields of wildflowers, bluebonnets, oak trees, old houses, barns and cattle. Lila traveled to Guymas, Mexico with her brother, John Byrd and wife, Etta, seeing the Pacific Ocean and collecting shells. Wherever she traveled, she observed the sky and light and colors, which were reflected in her oil paintings, handmade quilts and sewing ability. She believed the work of God and read her bible daily. For years she opened her home for Sunday morning services to followers of "the truth" or Christain Conventions Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Isham Austin, second husband, George Cope, two sons, Don Austin and Clint Austin; and granddaughter, Janet Lea Austin. Survivors include four children, Isham M. Austin, II of Robert Lee, Ruth Austin Taylor and husband, Charles of Marshfield, Missouri, Stanley Austin and wife, Janice of Porter, Texas and Jane Austin Bruckner of fort worth; grandson Monty Austin and wife, Neva of Robert Lee; other grandsons and great grandsons listed above; granddaughters, Pam Bruckner Walker and husband, John of Dallas, Martha Taylor Davis and husband, Tom of Springfield, Missouri, Connie Austin Gettings and husband Ray of Bloomington, California, Venita Austin Price and husband, Dennis of Odessa, Texas; also great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Permission granted by Observer/Enterprise for publication in the Coke County TXGenWeb Archives