Betty Joan Austin

Born May 4, 1938 in Tampa, Florida
Departed May 18, 2024 in Palm Bay, Florida

Betty Joan Austin, 86, died peacefully on May 18, 2024 in Palm Bay, Florida. Betty was born in Tampa, Florida on May 4, 1938 to James Dessie Austin and Cordell Jenkins Austin and was the oldest of five siblings. She grew up in the Tampa area and graduated from Brandon High School.

In addition to working as a homemaker and raising her two children, Lynée and Larry; Betty also worked outside of the home in various fields of employment, eventually entering the medical field as an Electrocardiography Technologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. She was selected to join the Nuclear Medicine Pilot Program at Hillsborough Community College, where she achieved the Mallinckrodt Most Outstanding Student Award in her graduating class. She graduated with an Associate of Science degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology in 1972 and began her career in nuclear medicine at Tampa General Hospital. She continued to work full-time while also pursuing higher education, attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Tampa in 1983, and then a Master of Public Administration degree from Golden Gate University in 1987. Betty was well-accomplished and highly respected in her field. She was revered for her expertise in risk assessment, and she succeeded in creating a profitable department within a nonprofit hospital. She persevered during a time when her field was male-dominated and advanced her career from nuclear med tech to a manager position, and then finally to Director of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology, before retiring from Tampa General Hospital in the late 1980s.

Betty enjoyed traveling around the country working in events marketing for a brief period before finally relocating to Brevard County to be closer to family. She continued to work in various jobs starting with marketing at Harris Semiconductor, insurance sales, and lastly as a tax advisor before her official retirement in the early 2000s. During this phase of life, she enjoyed residing at Trinity Towers for years before recently moving to Riverview Senior Resort in Palm Bay. Betty always loved being close to the water and enjoyed taking many cruises over the years. It was only fitting that she returned to living on the river once again where she thrived, making many friends and fond memories that brought much happiness to her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents James and Cordell Austin; siblings James Austin, Jack Austin, Iris Moore, and Jeff Austin; grandson Logan Hinson; and great-granddaughter Emma Nash. She is survived by children Lynée Williams (John) and Larry Hinson (Debbie); grandchildren Casey Nash (Matt), Allison Woodard (Kevin), Ian Hinson, Kendall Hinson, and Maxwell Hinson; and great-grandchildren Troy Nash, Luke Nash, and Jordan Woodard.

Betty was a mom, a “Nana”, and a friend to many. She was loved dearly and will be deeply missed. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 1, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 50 W. Strawbridge Avenue, Melbourne. Betty was a devoted member of the Holy Trinity family and enjoyed volunteering her time over the years. It was Betty’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of donations to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church:
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church