Paula Jane Austin

Paula Jane Austin, 79, of Shawnee, Oklahoma passed away Sunday, May 11, 2025 in Shawnee.

She was born on May 7, 1946 to Fred and Ruth (Tilly) Ray in Wheeler County, Texas.  Her family followed the cotton patch, and she lived throughout Oklahoma growing up.

On August 24, 1963 Paula married the love of her life Gene Austin and they were married for 60 years until his passing on December 26, 2023.

Paula worked as a Bus Driver for McLoud Public Schools.  She retired from Tinker Air Force Base after 20 years of Civil Service.

She was a proud member of Caddo Church of Christ. She was baptized at the Dale Church of Christ in the mid 1970’s.  She loved God and her faith never wavered.

Paula enjoyed being a home maker, sewing, crocheting, canning, baking, making quilts and afghans. Along with her husband Gene, they enjoyed working at the Mule Rodeo Circuit.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gene Austin; her parents; 2 sisters, Ruby Field and Betty Boudinot; and 2 brothers, JR Ray and Charles Ray.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Sandra (Austin) Burnett of Shawnee, OK; son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Charolette Austin of Shawnee, OK; 3 grandchildren, Raven and Hank Casey, Tyler and Dr. Jennifer Austin, Jonathan Burnett and partner Jamie Vandyousefi; 4 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; 1 sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Gerald Reimer of Parump, NV; 3 sisters-in-law Mary Meadors of Clarita, OK, Jackie Austin of Caddo, OK and Jessia Easton of Oklahoma City, OK; and many loving friends and extended family.

The family would like to send a special thank you to Elara Caring Hospice for all their loving care of our mother.

Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, 2025 and continue through service time with family gathering will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., to greet friends and family. Service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 15, 2025 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Steve Mills, Elara Hospice Chaplain officiating. Burial will follow at Dale Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.