Virginia E. Austin

   Virginia E. Austin, 97, of Norris City passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro. She was born on July 10, 1928 in White County the daughter of Earl and Margaret (White) Hays. Virginia married Ellis Austin on January 25, 1951 and they shared over 65 years of marriage together until his passing on February 17, 2017. Virginia was a member of the Walnut Grove Baptist Church and served as the treasurer for 60 years. She also was a member for 50 plus years of the White County HCE and the Heralds Prairie Home Extension. Virginia enjoyed cooking, reading, and spending time with her family.

   Virginia is survived by her children, Sherry (Richard) Kingston of Norris City, Sandra (Ralph) Cheaney of Wadesville, IN, and Steve Austin of Norris City; grandchildren, Jennifer (Cory) Mahan, Kyle (Stef) Kingston, Brett (Hillary) Cheaney, and Kaitlyn (Tim) Lasswell; great-grandchildren, Cole Kingston and Aiden Lasswell; siblings, Virgil (Nancy) Hays of Carmi , Bob Hays of Carmi, Bill (Carolyn) Hays of Carmi, and Linda (Dale) Winter of Newburgh, IN; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Betty Turner.

   Funeral Services for Virginia E. Austin, 97, of Carmi will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 5, 2026 at Campbell Funeral Home in Norris City. Burial will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Norris City. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 4, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Campbell Funeral Home in Norris City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Virginia’s memory to Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery Fund or Wabash Senior Living Activity Fund.