Sarah Lynne Austin

July 8, 1952 - July 31, 2021

Sarah Lynne Austin, 69, of Kirksville, Missouri passed away Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Hannibal Regional Hospital. Graveside services for Sarah will be held Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. at the Eolia Cemetery with Pastor Doug Lay officiating. Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes and Crematory in Bowling Green are handling the arrangements. Sarah was born July 8, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to John William and Elaine Barnhart. She was united in marriage to Eugene Dwaine Austin Sr. on August 30, 1986. He survives. Also surviving are her mother, Elaine Barnhart of Florrisant, Missouri; son, Gene Austin Jr. (Savannah) of Pacific, Missouri; grandchildren, Owen and Nora Austin; brother, John Barnhart of West Alton, Missouri; sister, Becky Thatcher of St. Charles, Missouri; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sarah was preceded in death by her father, John; and daughter, Mary Elizabeth Austin, who passed on September 7, 1991. Sarah grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, moving to St. Louis County her senior year of high school. She graduated from Hazelwood Central High School in 1970. She began working as a graphic designer for the St. Louis County Journal. She met Gene through Zip Code Data Club, which was run through the newspaper. Gene saw her blurb and reached out to her. Sarah and Gene worked together at Paint and Decorating Depot in Webster Groves, Missouri, which Gene owned for 25 years. He sold the business last November, and he and Sarah moved to Kirksville to enjoy retirement. Sarah enjoyed crafting. One of her favorite projects was refurbishing chandeliers and retro-fitting them with solar panels to make them more energy efficient. Sarah’s favorite pastime was spending time with her grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Eolia Cemetery.