Vera Thomasena Gordon Austin, born on April 15, 1945, in Hamlet, North Carolina was raised in Hamlet and Rockingham as the youngest child of Mary Leak Gordon and William Buies Gordon. Her parents and siblings, William Hayes, Barbara Jeanne and John Fairley predeceased her. During her formative years she was affectionately known as "Tommie". Her education included the Rockingham Colored Elementary School, Ashley Chapel School, founded by her grandfather Rev. Thomas Leak, and Leak Street High School. Vera completed Livingstone College, earning a Bachelor's of Arts Degree with Honors and later attended the New Jersey Institutions of Kean College and Rutgers University to meet professional educational goals. Vera's family was the center of her life. She doted upon her husband and son. Vera met her life's love, Eric DeCourcey Austin through one of her foster care clients while completing a home visit. Upon seeing her at that visit, Eric fell completely in love and there ensued a great courtship and subsequent marriage. Their relationship was filled with adventure, quiet times sitting by the ocean side, lectures and many cultural events. She and Eric were often seen at philharmonic concerts, theater events, anything of interest that provided respite from the toil of the day. Eric's love for Vera is legendary, his tenderness in caring for her and they for each other shine as a beacon. Each was the encourager for the other and worked daily at maintaining their marriage with thoughtfulness. Eric honors Vera with a deep abiding love and respect. She always acknowledged that he was gentle and kind and never any problems between them enough to complain about. Her son, Stephen recalls the big role she played in his life with many trips to interesting educational, cultural and historical places. She organized cookouts and picnics for the neighborhood and church community often with the entire neighborhood in attendance. She planned day trips with lots of other children for Stephen; these were central to the great times they enjoyed. She fostered her passion and love of family history; he learned these lessons well and has developed a strong interest in family genealogy. She taught him by example to make his voice heard. She often discussed world and national events of the day with him and shared letters she'd write to editors, politicians and pundits. She steeped him in not only family history and relations but also the history of Black Americans. She was stood strong for equal rights and did march with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 60's era. She was determined that her son remains aware of historical perspectives and never forgets the strides made. She taught him generosity donating to worthy causes from clothing drives to activities that required a helpful hand. In so doing she raised a kind and thoughtful son. For Stephen she was not only mother, but best friend, confidant and a great visionary. Vera retired from the Department of Health and Senior Services in 1996 having spent a career in Social Services in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey. Vera's work ethics were established early, she was a passionate worker in every assignment. She began working as a teenage cotton/peach picker, a Babysitter, Camp Counselor and later as a Caseworker in various fields of human and social services. She always spoke about the progression of the various work positions of her life, the lessons learned and the joy of accomplishments. Vera was an ardent reader and at the time of her demise she was active in many book clubs. She often traveled to hear various authors and every time they went to the library she would exclaim to Eric, "I know they are going to throw me outta here!" Vera was a beloved Aunt; she traveled often to help her sister Barbara with her sons from babysitting them as toddlers throughout adolescence and into adulthood. Everette, Jr. and Gordon recall fondly, the visits to her bachelorette apartment shared with her best friend Valeria. The trips to Great Adventure, holiday meals, graduations and marriages, Aunt Vera was always there as a steadying presence. Nieces, Sharon and Joan were the delights of her life; there was not one conversation that she had with any relative without her sharing the most recent news of her nieces and later her grand-nieces and nephew. She was more than an admiring Aunt she was the connector with the family for Cousins and other relations. Always quick to let you know where your family was, certain that it was understood that you were not alone. She learned the great skill of maintaining family records from news clippings, notes and letters. This was passed down from her mother, Mary Jane Gordon who maintained the family history from generations before and maintained those records diligently. Vera picked up those records and she and her sister Barbara became the repository of family history. She maintained close relationships with all the cousins and gradually became the family genealogist. She would find relations everywhere and delighted in expanding the family tree. Vera was also an encourager, she maintained a smile and a laugh meant to encourage and uplift. Her outlook and perspective was others before self in times of crisis. Daily she spoke to her college roommate, Valeria who came to be at her side in the final days. Vera never lost contact with friends from her various school associations, subscribed to the Rockingham Journal and other periodicals from points of interest. Vera enjoyed reading, collecting signed books, lighthouses and genealogy. She maintained active memberships in the Cranford Book Club, The Princeton Book Club, South Brunswick Book Club, The United Group, was a member of the Linden Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, a life member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., The AME Zion Church, Mid-Atlantic Livingstone College Alumni Association, The NAACP, and the Legrand Family Reunion. Vera Thomasena Gordon Austin was called home to glory on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 7:30 am after a short hospital stay. Her husband Eric

and her son Stephen survive her. At the time of her demise her life long friends, Valeria Campbell and Dorothy Woodard were at her bedside. Vera's, grandparents Ellen Legrand Leak, Rev. Thomas Leak, Caroline Gordon, her parents Mary Jane Leak Gordon and William Buies Gordon, her brothers William Hayes, John Fairly and her beloved sister Barbara Jeanne all have journeyed onward. Vera is survived by her husband, Eric DeCourcey Austin, her beloved son, Stephen DeCourcey, a beloved step-son Eric O'Neil, her nephews Everette, Jr., Gordon and Heinrik, her nieces Sharon and Joan, great-nephew John Curtis, great-nieces Caroline and Savannah and a step-grandson Rogelio. Surviving also are an Aunt, Lillie Mae Tyler of San Francisco, CA, brothers-in-law, Everette Scott, Sr. of Philadelphia, PA, George Austin of Brooklyn, NY and Harold Austin of Barbados, Sisters-in-law Janet Gordon of Greensboro, NC, and Jean Austin of Brooklyn, NY. Vera's best friend whom she spoke to daily, Valeria Campbell of Statesville, NC, a great host of cousins, other relations and dear friends. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Vera Thomasena Gordon Austin. You are invited to add a Tribute in her memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add our own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.