Carol Celeste Anderson Austin

Carol Celeste Anderson Austin, 76, of Creekside Dr. in Morganton died unexpectedly, Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at Grace Hospital. Born in Davidson County on October 21, 1933, she was a daughter of the late Robert Leo Anderson and Thelma Eulalia Hedrick Anderson. Celeste was a graduate of Davis Townsend High School in Davidson County where she was a star basketball player. She then attended High Point College where Celeste was a varsity cheerleader, a member of Phi Mu Sorority, and was in the May Court. She served as both the church and financial secretary of the First Reformed Church in Burlington. Celeste was a former member and past president of the Junior Women’s Club in Burlington. After moving to Albemarle, she took a position as the executive secretary of the Stanley County Mental Health Association. She moved to Morganton in 1978 and worked in marketing for Drexel-Heritage Furnishings until her retirement. Following retirement, Celeste became a customer service representative for Goodys Clothing Store. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served on many committees for the church.She is survived by her husband of 55 years, J. Farrell Austin of the home; a son, James Farrell "Jay" Austin, Jr. and wife, Rebecca of Black Mountain; a daughter, Jamie Austin Johnston and husband, Watkins of Montgomery, AL; grandchildren, Watkins Cook Johnston, IV and Carol Hartwell Johnston; sisters, Bobbe Conrad of Thomasville, NC, and Gail Craver and husband, Bill of Welcome, NC; and a number of nieces and nephews who were all Celeste’s favorites.In addition to her parents, Celeste was preceded in death by an infant daughter.Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 24, 2010 at Fairview Memorial Park in Albemarle with Rev. Dr. Sydnor Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 N. King St., Morganton, NC 28655, or to the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, PO Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Western North Carolina Chapter, 31 College Place, Suite D-320, Asheville, NC 28801.