Blog Post
Older Americans - Sharing the Stories of East Texans
Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • June 23, 2021
Cathryn Austin - Panola County
As part of the Area Agency of East Texas’ mission to serve the elderly population, 95-year-old Cathryn Austin of Panola County was gracious enough to share her life story with us.
Mrs. Austin was born and raised in Carthage, where she farmed, raised a family, and is still involved in the community she has come to love.
“Well, I grew up in Carthage, and went to school in Carthage, and worked in Carthage, and married a man out here,” she said.
That man, Truett Austin, and Cathryn had two children, Donna and Don.
“My brother is nine years younger than me, and I was so glad when he came along so he could share in the work,” said Donna Marler, Mrs. Austin’s daughter.
Throughout the years, the family raised livestock, grew vegetables, picked cotton on the family farm that has been in the family since 1917.
Hard work runs in the family and is a cherished value that both Mrs. Austin and Donna hold dear.
Even at 95-years-old, Mrs. Austin is still involved in the community through activities like sewing blankets for hospitals and foster homes and calling family and friends to keep spirits alive.
When asked what advice she would give others, Mrs. Austin said to stay busy.
“Finding out what they can do and see about doing it,” she said. “Just take every day as it comes.”
Assistance is available to find and compare 2025 health and drug plans now
We can't wait to host hundreds of area nursing facility administrators, practitioners, caregivers, and others who work with seniors at our 33rd annual REACH Conference (Regional Education on Aging, Caregiving, and Healthcare) next month! The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) hosts the annual conference to provide educational workshops, plenary sessions, and networking opportunities. This year's conference will be held at Maude Cobb in Longview on October 2-3 and is ideal for professionals or caregivers serving older adults and persons with disabilities.
About Us
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas
is designated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to coordinate services for persons in East Texas who are 60 or older, with particular attention to low-income minority older individuals, older individuals with limited-English proficiency, and older individuals residing in rural areas.
1501 Pentecost Road
Kilgore, Texas 75662
1-800-442-8845
Deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired customers may contact
Relay Texas: 800-735-2989 (TTY) and 711 (Voice).
Equal opportunity is the law.
Equal opportunity notice in English and Spanish
Administered by ETCOG