The marital union of P.H. Austin, Jr. (1927 – 2011) and Neva Harris Austin (1930 –1992) was blessed with four children: Alonzo (1949 – 2000), Arlinda (1951 – 2023), Mary Ann (1954 -), and Vernita (1958 – 1994). Because of her health issues, Arlinda's parents were very protective of her. The sisterlike bond she shared with her mother began when Arlinda was an infant while her father served in the Navy. Arlinda reciprocated her parents' loving care through her devotion to them during their illnesses.

Arlinda graduated from Mary C. Jones Elementary School and Lanier High School. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Jackson State University. While teaching in Anguilla, MS, she earned her specialist degree from Delta State University. She was a long-time educator who retired from Jackson Public Schools after teaching at Dawson and Bradley Elementary schools. After retirement she worked in after school programs. At an early age Arlinda joined Zion Travelers M.B. Church and faithfully attended until her illness limited her ability to do so. At Zion Travelers she taught Sunday School and Bible Class and served as a tutor. She also sang in the choir and worked in the finance room. Although she never physically bore any children, she became a mother figure to several relatives, students, and children of friends. She contributed spiritually, emotionally, physically, academically, and financially to those children. After her Alzheimer's diagnosis, she remained active and engaged because she felt that life is precious and should be fought for at every turn. She enjoyed attending church services, religious programs, family gatherings, sporting events, concerts, musical productions, and adult day care; traveling; shopping; exercising; listening to music; singing; dancing; watching tv; dining out; and eating home cooked meals. To the many relatives and friends left to mourn her, please remember her ever present smile and
know that she smiled as she took her last breath.

She Is Gone
By David Harkins

You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.