Martha Powell Austin

Mrs. Martha Powell Austin, 84, of Buena Vista passed away on August 16, 2025, at Magnolia Manor of Marion County. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Draneville Union Church Cemetery with Rev. David Chapman officiating. The family will greet friends at Way-Watson Funeral Home in Buena Vista beginning at 9:30AM until 10:30AM. Pallbearers will be Devon Tyson, Erron Austin, Eric Studdard, Shelley McKenzie, Rob Carlan, and Scott Benford.

Mrs. Austin was born August 24, 1940, in Buena Vista to Arthur “Shim” and Nannie Mae Wells Powell. She was a member of Draneville Union Church. Mrs. Austin was a retired cosmetologist, having run her own shop, “Martha’s Cut & Curl” for over 30 years. She enjoyed working with her flowers, and in the family garden. Mrs. Austin loved her family and spending time with them, especially her son, Michael. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles B. Austin, Jr., a sister and brother-in-law, Thelma and Don Bunch and a sister, Fannie Benford.

Survivors include her devoted son, Charles Michael Austin of Buena Vista; a brother, Arthur Powell of Buena Vista; a sister, Darlene Powell Allen of Geneva; a brother-in-law, Tony Benford of Buena Vista; and several other nieces and nephews and other family also survive.