Emma Marie Austin

Emma Marie Austin, 84, of Salisbury, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 21, 2012. She was born March 31, 1928 in Snow Hill, a daughter of the late Avery and Mary (Phillips) Shockley. Emma worked many years in food service at various places, including Peninsula Regional Medical Center, English’s and Salisbury Nursing Home. While living in Kissimmee, Florida she also worked at the local hospital where her employers pleaded her to stay before she decided to make her return to Delmarva. She was a long time member of Delmarva Evangelistic Church in Salisbury. She had an unwavering faith in God and she raised her family as a Christian family. As a member of the Lewes Assembly of God years ago her church family nicknamed her “Sister Dumpling” for the wonderful dumplings she cooked. Cooking was her passion and she often made enough food to feed many friends in the retirement community where she lived. Emma never met a stranger, always looking to lend a hand to those in need which led her to become a foster grandparent to many. With her servant’s heart, she also enjoyed ironing clothes and babysitting for family and friends. She is survived by a son, Wilbur “Al” Albert Austin (Priscilla) of Delmar; 3 daughters, Patricia Ann Adkins (Phil), Delores “Dee” Kay Williams (Wayne, Sr.) and Bonnie Lou Patterson (Peter), all of Salisbury; 13 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Virginia Christopherson of Delmar, Maurice Shockley of Goldsboro, Richard Shockley of Delmar and Rachel McHone of Pittsville; and a son-in-law, Vaughn Cranfield of Salisbury. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Clifford Austin, who passed in 2001; a daughter, Shirley Cranfield; brothers, Avery Shockley, Melvin Shockley and an infant brother; and 2 sisters, Peggy Robinson and Barbara Workman. A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 26, 2012 at 1:00 pm at Short Funeral Home in Delmar, where family and friends may call from 12:00 to 1:00. Pastors Robert “Buzz” Gregory and Ruth Chamberlain will officiate. Interment will follow at Springhill Memory Gardens in Hebron. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802 or Delmarva Evangelistic Church, 408 E. Gordy Road, Salisbury, MD 21804. Arrangements are being handled by Short Funeral Home of Delmar. To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.shortfh.com.

Emma Marie Austin

March 31, 1928 - November 21, 2012