Annie Grace Austin

Annie Grace Austin (Hargrove) was born in Robinsonville, Mississippi on October 7, 1942 to the bountiful union of Jarman and Susie (Goree) Hargrove. In the morning of March 14, 2024, she peacefully transitioned into the arms of our Heavenly Father.

Annie Grace spent her early years in Robinsonville, attending school and helping her family to maintain their farm and cotton fields. She was a junior at Tunica High School when the remaining Mississippi family relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1959. She went on to graduate from Hughes High School in 1960. During her teenage years, Annie Grace would babysit many of her nieces and nephews. After graduation, she began working in the textile industry, starting at Wolfson Brothers Textile Company. After some years with various employers, she joined Kroger (later Copaz) as a quality control inspector in their Cincinnati meat processing facility. She remained with Kroger for over 15 years, until a series of injuries prevented her from continuing. She concluded her working years in the quality control department at Ethicon Endo Surgery before her health forced her into retirement.

She accepted Christ at an early age through her baptism at Mt. Zion Baptist church in Robinsonville, Mississippi. Upon relocating to Cincinnati, she joined their new church home at New Nazarene Baptist Church, where she remained for many faithful years. She spent some time studying the Word with a small congregation at the House of Yisrael and also a few years attending New Mission Baptist Church. In her later years, she continued her walk with Christ as a member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church, until her health prevented her from active participation.

Annie Grace met James Austin Sr through her older sister, Mattie, who was dating his brother Julius at the time. They ultimately married on October 12, 1963 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Together they raised, adored, and were devoted to their three children Vivian, James Jr, and Kenneth.

Annie Grace enjoyed life by participating in a wide variety of activities and hobbies. As a young girl, she was athletic and played basketball for her high school team. As an adult she enjoyed traveling and vacationing, with some of her favorite destinations including Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Niagara Falls, San Juan, Bahamas, and aboard cruise ships.

She loved spending time with family, and was one of the principal organizers of the annual Hargrove/Hargrow family reunions in the early 1970s. She enjoyed ceramics and was proficient in crocheting. She found joy in teaching her granddaughters this relaxing skill when they were young girls and often made hats and blankets for her grandchildren and loved ones. Annie was an avid card player, often playing with friends and family, and even teaching her grandchildren how to play various card games. She delighted in spending time at local casinos, as well as traveling to the casinos near Tunica Mississippi. Known as the “fun grandma”, she would play video games for hours with her grandchildren, accompany them to the pool or local playground, have dance parties, and frequently host movie nights. She also enjoyed bowling and betting on horses at the racetrack.

Preceded in death by her parents: Jarman and Susie Hargrove siblings : Murray Hargrow, Lillie Bell, Willie L. Hargrove, Elizabeth Lyons, Jarman Hargrove, Jr., Ida B. Smith, Canzie Armstrong, Mary Les Hargrove, Ruby Del Long, Monroe Hargrove, James Hargrow Sr., Mattie Bee Austin, Susie Lee Wells, Sarah Lee Hargrove and Eurice Hargrove Sr.; cherished granddaughter VaNeisha J. Cooper, brothers-in-law: Paul Armstrong Sr., William Bell, Sr., John Lyons, Edgar Lee Wells, Sr.; sisters-in-law: Meldora Hargrow, Annie Mae Hargrove nephews: Wallace Lee Hargrove, Dexter Hargrove, Al Hargrove, Jerry Hargrove, Paul Armstrong, Jr., Edgar Lee Wells, Jr., James Edward Grant, David Lee Grant Sr., Willie C. Grant, Emmanuel Grant, Willie Irving Hargrove, Curtis Lee Hargrove; nieces: Bertha Bee Hargrove and Lillian Bell-Elder, many other dear relatives and special friends: G.W. Henderson and Samuel Rowe, Sr., and special in-law, Vaughn Cooper Sr.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children Vivian Hargrove, James Austin Jr (Margie), and  Kenneth Austin (Cheryl); adored grandchildren LaVaughna Cooper-Paul (Michael), Keyna Austin, Mycah Barrett, Kenneth Austin Jr., and James Davon Austin, great grandchildren; Jaisean Cooper, and Kaius Austin; brother in law, Malachi (Samuel) Long, nieces Doris Williams, Beatrice Clark, Elizabeth Whitten, Renee Garrett, Lillie Sims, Ruby Jean Mimes, Olivia Ann Bell, and Jessie Lee Kinnaird, nephews; Marvin Wells; cousin, Thabbit Chappell, close friends Pauline Olverson and Mary Pugh; godson, Darian Adams, and a host of family and friends.

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