Sally Jo Whitman-Austin

Sally Whitman Austin, 75, of Cumming passed away January 30, 2022, after a brave battle with a lengthy illness. Sally was born on January 20, 1947 in the home of Stonewall Jackson in Lexington, Virginia to Kathryn and Wade Whitman. Sally attended Leon High School, Florida State University, and Georgia State University where she earned a master's degree. She moved to the Atlanta area after graduating from college. She was a member of Cumming First United Methodist Church.

Sally worked for the Fulton County Board of Education for 34 years. Her career began in 1970 at Herd's Ferry Elementary where she taught fifth grade. When Fulton County introduced the middle school concept, Sally transferred and began teaching at the middle school level. She was on the faculty that opened Ridgeview Middle School where she taught sixth grade language arts and social studies. As middle schools were being built throughout the county, Sally moved to Northwestern Middle School in 1996 where she taught sixth grade social studies until her retirement in 2004.

Throughout her life, Sally was always generous with her time and resources to her family, friends, and many causes she supported. She always had a good sense of humor, enjoyed telling and hearing a good joke, and was always up for an adventure. She loved flowers, gardening and all types of music. She was incredibly brave in spite of the many physical pains and challenges she endured.

After retirement Sally joined Alpha Delta Kappa sorority (an international honorary organization of women educators) in 2004. She served as chaplain for the sorority for four consecutive years. She was an avid reader and a member of the Cumming Crowd Book Club. Sally loved and enjoyed her nieces and nephews. And she cared deeply for her dogs, especially her beloved Bella.

Sally is preceded in death by her parents, Wade and Kathryn Whitman, her husband, Gene Austin, and her nephew, Michael Eubanks. She is survived by her two sisters Sharon Mendenhall of Tallahassee and Diane (Sal) DeFelice of Ft. Lauderdale. She also leaves her nieces and nephews Sherri (Mark) Lovell of Cartersville, Patrick Eubanks of Tallahassee, Christina (Jason) Welty of Tallahassee, and David DeFelice of Ft. Lauderdale. She is also survived by her great nieces and nephews Tabitha, Luke, and Jared Lovell of Cartersville, Amanda (Randy) Blass of Tallahassee, Chad (Kaitlyn) Eubanks of Jacksonville, and Benjamin and Sarah Kate Welty of Tallahassee.

The family would like to thank the staff at Northside Forsyth Hospital in Cumming, Georgia for the special care given to Sally. Also special thanks go to her many wonderful friends and neighbors and to her niece Sherri Lovell and her husband Mark who provided much help, care, and love throughout many difficult times.

A memorial service will be held on February 17, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Tallahassee Memory Gardens located at 4037 North Monroe Street in Tallahassee, Florida. An additional celebration of Sally's life will be held in Cumming, Georgia at a later date to be announced. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Cumming First United Methodist Church

Condolences may be expressed at www.mcdonaldandson.com.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886.9899