Doris Marie Austin, 93, of Dayton, Tennessee, died on Sunday morning October 4, 2015.
Doris was born to the late Fred and Madeline (Mueller) Aspin on June 1, 1922 in Saint Paul, MN. She graduated from high school and later attended night school at Moody Bible Institute. Doris married the late Keith Austin of St. Paul, MN in June of 1943.
In 1946 Keith and Doris were called to Ecuador as missionaries with Gospel Missionary Union. Doris and Keith left family and friends, taking their six month old daughter Judith to the jungles of Ecuador, where they began serving among the indigenous Shaur people. In the early 1950s they moved to a small town on the edge of the jungle to serve as teachers and mentors in a Bible school preparing young people for the ministry. They later moved to Quito when Keith was appointed Field Director for the mission. In 1969 they moved to Miami, FL where they continued to serve with GMU.
After losing her husband Keith in 1970, Doris returned to Ecuador with her young son Mike. Doris was a much loved Bible teacher and mentor to many women in her Bible classes in Ecuador. She also served as mission secretary, guest house hostess and teacher at the Alliance Academy.
Doris retired from the mission in 1989, at which time she and her son Mike moved to Dayton. Doris was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She also served as a volunteer at the Women’s Care Center in Dayton.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband Keith; three brothers; and a sister.
She is survived by four children, Judith Austin of Dayton, Carol (Bob) Snell of Magnolia, TX, David (Jane) Austin of Dayton and Mike Austin of Dayton; four grandchildren, Bethany (Jamie) Smith, Lorissa (John) Cannon, Mike (Mahshid) Snell and Joshua (Rachel) Snell; and six great- grandchildren.
Funeral services for Doris will be held Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church with Rev. Carter Johnson officiating. She will be laid to rest in the church cemetery.
Her family will receive friends at the church after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, oct. 6.
Please share your memories of Doris on her online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.
Memorial gifts may be given Avant or Westminster Presbyterian Church.
The family is being cared for by the Vanderwall Funeral Home.