Tavesia Austin

Tavesia Maria Austin of Havre de Grace, MD was born on June 25th, 1960, to the late Henry Albert Jones and Phronnie Elizabeth (Lindsay) Jones. She answered her call to her heavenly home on March 22, 2025.

Education and knowledge were of paramount importance to Tavesia. She graduated from North East High school in 1978. Despite many challenges including traveling on multiple city buses, requiring the use of a walker, and changing her major because the biology department was not handicap accessible, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Morgan State University in 1985. She continued her education in biblical studies at Corner Stone Bible College in 1997. Most recently completing the Institute for Pastoral Training unit 2 at the end of 2024 with a 98% final grade.

She wore many hats over the course of her life. She worked as the medical front and back-office assistant for Dr. Thweat OB/GYN. She was a summer school and a substitute teacher for Open Door Christian School. She sold World Book Encyclopedias, Tupperware, Avon, and Mary Kay. Finally, she was able to work in her first passion, science, and original major of biology as a research lab assistant in biochemistry for the University of Maryland Medical School. Later she started a private day care business, Grace Harbor Christian Daycare. She then worked as a Land’s End and Large Appliance sales associate at Sears. From there she was an independent Optivia Coach. In 2016, she became a licensed realtor and in 2023 accomplished her goal becoming an Associate Real Estate Broker. The journey to her dream position as chaplain began in 2017 as a member of the Harford Memorial Spiritual Care team under the tutelage of Chaplin Thaddeus Seigel. That culminated this year becoming a paid full-time chaplain for University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. If that wasn't enough, she had her most important hat of a homeschool mom to 4 kids and as “Lovey” to her 2 grandkids.

Tavesia dedicated her life to service. She was a faithful member of Granite Baptist Church for over 40 years. She served in many ministries while she was there including choir, Awana, Teen Girls Sunday School, Ladies Visitation, Master’s Club, Soul Winners, and Bus Ministries. From 2018 - 2024 she sang in the Harford Choral Society and was a member of The Red Hat Society. Wanting to better be able to serve locally, in 2022 she became a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Aberdeen MD becoming an active member.

In addition to her parents, Tavesia was preceded in death by her birth father, Fletcher Russell Sr.

She leaves to mourn her loving memory, her husband, Vernon Austin; children, Jeremy Austin, Kay Sharpless & her husband Cameron, Dasia Austin, and Michael Austin; grandchildren, Cameron Sharpless Jr. and Karsyn Sharpless; Sisters, Wanda Jones, Novetta Collision, and Katharin Jones; brothers, David Jones, Eric Russell and Clayton Russell; a host of nieces and nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and special friends, Norma Johnson and Chantal Valcourt; and a spiritual daughter, Keonna Kenion.

Contributions may be made to Bethany Christian Services, 2142 Priest Bridge Ct., Ste. 1, Crofton, MD 21114-2545 or to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 200 Old Post Rd., Aberdeen, MD 21001