Elizabeth (Bette) Ann (Guttridge) Austin, beloved pastor's wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, joined her husband and her Lord and Savior in Heaven on December 4th, 2023, at the age of 92.

Born in Plainfield, NJ, on Sept 19th, 1931, Bette was the oldest daughter to Mildred and Harold Guttridge with 5 siblings; her father died at the age of 32, July 4th, 1940. A few years later her mother married Raymond Shay. Following graduation in 1949, she got a taste of life in the “Big Apple” when she moved to New York City taking a job at a bank. While attending Word of Life Christian Camp, her life was changed forever when she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior on August 17th, 1950. She attended Philadelphia Bible Institute where she met Frederick Austin in an elevator. They were married in Plainfield, NJ, July 23rd, 1955. The couple moved to Wheaton, IL, where Fred finished his senior year in college and then attended graduate school. In 1961, they moved to Michigan City, IN where Bette took on the call of a pastor's wife. From 1973 to 2001 they ministered together in 4 different American Baptist churches in Iowa. After 40 years of service, they retired to Leander, TX, in 2001.

Bette was never a bystander to the work of the Lord and never retired from serving her Lord. She will be remembered as a prayer warrior and a faithful servant of God, loving and giving of herself to her family, friends and church. In 1991, she was installed as a Regional officer for the Mid-American Baptist (AB) Women's organization where she was a speaker and helped direct the retreats. From 1993 to 2001 she led a bible study for young teenagers called AB girls. After moving to Texas, from 2001 to 2006, she was the MOP's (Mothers of preschoolers) mentor coordinator and a mentor for young moms at Grace Covenant Church. From 2006 to 2016, she helped lead and coordinate the Hearts of Grace class at the church. She was loved by so many people and impacted others and their love of Jesus. Bette enjoyed her garden, studying the bible, feeding the birds, doing crafts and knitting, and making photo albums. She was an avid sports fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Texas Longhorns, Chicago Bulls and Bears. She was the coolest grandmother to her grandchildren and the best “Gigi” to her great grandchildren; and she sported a nose ring to prove it. She traveled every year to visit and spend time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bette was preceded in death by her beloved husband Frederick Von Austin after 59 years of marriage; also her mother Mildred, father Harold, step-father Raymond Shay, brother Harold, sister Grace, and brother William.

Bette is survived by four children: Timothy, Thomas (Sharon), Kathryn Wiebe (Peter), and Kenneth (Lori); thirteen grandchildren; Timmy, Stephanie, Kassandra, Karissa, Jake, Austin, Jacob, Lindsay, Kelsie, Brooke, Abi, Alec, and Chloe; and sixteen great-grandchildren. Also, her sister Barbara Salness, her brother Bruce Guttridge and her sister-in-law Roxanne Shay,

Family and friends will gather for her celebration of life service to be held February 3rd, 2024 at 11:00AM at Grace Covenant Church, 9431 Jollyville Rd, Austin, TX 78759. The service will also be streamed live https://vimeo.com/event/40358…

In lieu of flowers, Bette requested donations to Mission Possible or Grace Covenant Mercy Ministries at Grace Covenant Church, 9431 Jollyville Rd, Austin, TX 78759

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