Emily Schneider Austin, 102, of McComb, died peacefully in her sleep on the morning of March 18, 2022, at Camellia Estates, McComb.

Visitation will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at J J White Memorial Presbyterian Church, McComb, followed by services there at 12:30. Rev. Charles Ray will officiate. Burial will be at Hollywood Cemetery. Hartman-Jones Funeral Home of McComb is in charge of arrangements.

Emily was born February 13, 1920, in McComb, the fourth and youngest child of Joseph E. and Eulalie Youngblood Schneider. She was a graduate of McComb High School, Southwest Mississippi Junior College, Mississippi State College for Women, and did graduate work at Belhaven College. She began her teaching career in Columbia MS in 1941, teaching first grade there for one year. In 1942 she began teaching at North McComb School, where she taught second grade for 7 years.

She and Thomas B. Austin married in 1946, and were married 64 years, until his death in 2011. In 1948 they moved to Jackson for Tommy's work, and Emily taught second grade for three years at Davis School. She frequently said that she always loved her association with little children, and appreciated and loved teaching for those 11 years. Throughout her life she kept up with former pupils and always enjoyed letters and visits with them.

In 1953 she and Tommy moved back to McComb and opened Austin Distributing Company, in which they worked together for 31 years, until both retired in 1984. Their company received the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company 1977 Inner Circle award as one of the top wholesalers in the nation.
Emily was a lifetime member of J J White Memorial Presbyterian Church, a member of the McComb Crescite Club for 65 years, a past member of the McComb Garden Club and McComb Junior Auxiliary. She enjoyed her participation in many bridge clubs throughout her life and appreciated the many friendships she had through playing bridge.

She and Tommy were charter members of the Pike County Arts Council and served as officers in its early years; were founding benefactors of the new Pike Amite Walthall County Library System headquarters building; hosted the first Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center Gala reception at their home; and supported many civic charities and endeavors. They also enjoyed their many travel experiences with family and friends throughout their married life. She was a long-time member of Supper Club. One of her favorite activities was hosting parties for almost any reason and occasion.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sisters Barbara S. Hayman, Eulalie S. Hughes, Lillian S. Lamkin, niece Barbara Jo Ladner, and nephews Noel Hughes and Lee Hayman.

Emily is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Michael and Cyrena Austin, grandsons in whom she took great pleasure and pride, Kramer F. Austin (fiancee Chelsea Erario) and David M. Austin, nieces-in-law Janice Hayman and JoAnn Hughes, nephew-in-law Johnny Ladner, and by her very special friends Nancy Moore Hewitt, Ginger Moore Shands, Beatrice Thompson, Mamie Hines and Cynthia Marshall.

The family expresses thanks to Beatrice Thompson, Emily's supporter and helper for many years; to Mamie Hines for her thoughtful and loving care of Emily in her declining years and to the end of her life; and to the staffs of Camellia Estates and Hospice Compassus for their compassionate services.

In lieu of flowers, Emily requested memorial donations to J J White Memorial Presbyterian Church.