Verna Jean Stanley Austin, 73, passed away January 1, 2022, at SECU Hospice House of Johnston Health.
Born November 3, 1948, she was the daughter of the late LR "Roby" Stanley Jr. and Agnes Gladys
Starling Stanley. A graduate of Smithfield High School and Louisburg College, Jean spent over 35 years
working with AG Lee Oil Company, regarding her co-workers and drivers there as family. As a long-
standing member of the Smithfield Chapter #121 Order of the Eastern Star, she served in many offices
over the years and enjoyed the friendships she developed and memories she made there. Throughout
her life – from time spent with Grandaddy and Grandma Starling to her Thanksgiving open tables – she
found great joy in serving and doing for others in any capacity. However, Jean regarded being Mama and
Gigi as her greatest and most important roles in life. There was never a moment wasted with her
children and grandchildren, and she made sure they were told they were loved at every visit, in every
call, and on every card. She found double the joy in any of their joy, and was overflowing with love and
pride for them all.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Underwood Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 11:00 AM.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Austin was preceded in death by husband Adrian Gordon Howell, sister
Dianne Shirley, brother LR "Robin" Stanley III, special aunt Lois Starling, her children's father Lynwood
McLamb, and Mr. Howell's son Adrian Howell. She is survived by husband Ed Austin; daughter Dr. Amy
Barbour (husband Lt. Col. Stephen Barbour), son Mark McLamb (wife Lori McLamb), grandchildren
Hannah Grace Barbour, Landon Stanley Barbour, Drew Lynwood McLamb, Abby Jean McLamb, and Reid
Foster McLamb; sister Sharon Parrish; special cousins Anesha Johnson and Pam Wooten; Mr. Austin's
son Shane Austin (wife Melissa Austin) and children Tucker and Maddie; Mr. Howell's son Ted Sohn
(wife Janice Sohn) and daughter Sicily; along with many extended loving family members.
The family would like to thank the second-floor staff hospitalists, nurses, nursing assistants, respiratory
therapists, and physical therapists at Johnston UNC Health Care and the staff at SECU Hospice House for
their attention, care, and support during Mrs. Austin's stays. Jean's impact on her family and friends is
boundless, and the depth of loss is but an indication of the depth of love. Memorial donations in Jean Austin's memory
may be made to the Shriner's Hospitals for Children c/o Sudan Shriners, PO Box 12829, New Bern, NC
28561, or to SECU Hospice House of Johnston Health, 426 Hospital Road, Smithfield, NC 27577.