Austine Beard Filla

AUSTINE BEARD FILLA, 83, born on August 9, 1930, in Guy, Texas, peacefully passed after miraculously living over a year with breast and liver cancers. Austine is now in heaven with her husband of almost 52 years, Lee Fred Filla, the love of her life. Also, Austine was preceeded by her parents Shirley Austin Beard, Sr. and Etta Crook Beard plus siblings Shirley Austin "Buddy" Beard, Jr., Sidney Pierce Beard, and Barbara Ann Beard.. She is survived by her two devoted daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Ron Esch of Missouri City, and Nancy and Robin Dutton of Louisville, Colorado; two granddaughters and their husbands, Laura Holmes Chris of Houston and Lisa Harris Paul of Missouri City; and four great grandchildren: Collin Holmes of Houston, and Dustin Turner, Timmy Harris and Leah Harris of Missouri City; sister Mary Rayner of Anahuac; brother David Beard of Needville and two nieces, Dawn and Melanie Rayner of Baytown. Austine enjoyed reading, researching genealogy plus helping family and friends. Education was a priority in her life. She attended a country school in Long Point, Texas, where she and fellow classmates watched for bombers during World War II. She graduated with honors from Mirabeau de Lamar High School in Richmond where she was a band majorette and class leader. Austine received a Bachelor in Business Administration degree with a minor in English at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. Inspiring students with her compassion for learning, Austine taught business subjects at Boling High School and then at Angleton High School. Throughout her life, she was an active member of Needville United Methodist Church, the First United Methodist Church in Angleton; Gethsemane United Methodist Church in Sharpstown; the First United Methodist Church in North Hollywood, California; then the Sugar Land First United Methodist Church. Austine grew up on an historic ranch in Fort Bend County. Proud of her Texas heritage, she was an active member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Descendants of Austin's Old Three Hundred, and Battle of San Jacinto Descendants. Her ancestors survived the Alamo siege and the Black Bean Episode during the Mier Expedition. For many years, Austine served as Trustee/National Representative and Chapter Delegate at biannual conventions as a member of Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society Chapter 4520 in Houston. Visitation is 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2014, at Davis Greenlawn Funeral Chapel, 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd, Rosenberg, Texas. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, February 1, 2014, at Davis Greenlawn Funeral Chapel. Austine's family thanks Chelsea Gardens and Silverado Hospice for their compassionate and competent care. Donations in Austine's memory can be made to the Sugar Land First United Methodist Church. Tributes and words of condolence may be left for the family at www.davisgreenlawnfh.com

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Austine Beard Filla

August 9, 1930 - January 27, 2014