Barbara Pearl Austin

Barbara Pearl Austin, age 82, of Kentwood, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on October 24, 1942, in Wyoming, Michigan, to Ed and Evelyn McCune. She was later adopted by Anthony and Ruth Polunus at the age of five. She married the love of her life, Raymond (Pompi), on April 21, 1960, when she was 17 years old. They spent years going on Sunday afternoon movie dates, thrift store shopping, and raising a family. Barbara was a homemaker and worked as a para pro at Lee Middle school for fifteen years.

Barbara (Nina) was happiest while taking care of her family and any child in need. Together, Barbara and Ray raised their four kids, and had a huge hand in raising some of their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Their home was “home base” for all her kids and grandchildren. She was the definition of what it meant to be a grandma, and she was a grandma to anyone she met. She was kind, funny, a “baby whisperer,” and the most loving person you could ever meet. She was happiest when holding a baby and shopping. She was a strong Christian who enjoyed taking her kids and grandkids to Galewood Church. She was the backbone of the Austin family, a true matriarch. She will be greatly missed.

Barbara will be lovingly remembered by her children, Tammy Miersma, Toni (John) Stouten, Robin McChessney, and Raymond Austin Jr; her grandchildren, Brynn Taylor, Candice (Ramon) Virella, Shawn (Nicole) Stouten, DJ McChessney, Ashley (Nik) Owen and Kammie (Brayden) Cooper; her great-grandchildren, Robert Harvey Jr, Brianna Harvey, Ramon Virella Jr, Damien McChessney, Taylor Owen, Leiya Virella, Rachael McChessney, Anthony McChessney, Madelyn Jones, Raeya Virella, Liam Stouten and Breck Stouten; her two great-great grandsons, Ryder Harvey and Brennen Smith; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years, Raymond Austin, Sr.; her granddaughter, Tina Stouten; great grandson, Raymond Virella; her parents; and her six siblings.

In lieu of a funeral her family will hold a private memorial.