Cecilia Marie Austin

Our beloved Cecilia Marie Austin passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 6th at the age of 35. She was born in Omaha, NE to Cecil and Sheila Smith on May 15, 1986 and raised in Oakland, California. A graduate of Encinal High School in 2004, Cecilia was a cheerleader, a track star and honors student and an infectious spirit who then chased her dreams of a career in journalism and attended the University of Houston. While at the University of Houston, Cecilia spent her time as a staff writer for the Daily Cougar, a member of Phi Delta Alpha and as Treasurer of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). In 2010, she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Journalism and a minor in Political Science. She most recently obtained a certificate in Women's Entrepreneurship from Cornell University.

A multifaceted maverick and Jill of all Trades, Austin was a Marketing Communications Specialist for Nalco Water, branded content writer for Blavity, public speaker, radio show host, documentary producer and had recently begun a job with Microsoft. In 2015, she launched her own creative imprint, Yellow Bandit Media & Publishing, a content house which served to educate and inspire upcoming writers, fellow creatives and more. Her name reached far and wide in articles and pages for Houston Style Magazine, AllHipHop, Atlanta Black Star, Day & A Dream, the Houston Press, Houston TREND, Shadow And Act and more where her focus lay where her heart was - on the community she loved, the people making a difference and those shaping the lives of the future.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jermaine and was a doting and loving stepmother to three daughters: Maia, Meyah and Jaidah as well as two sons, Jermaine Jr. and Jakobe, niece to her uncle Melvin Lovelace and aunt Gloria Lovelace, sister to her brother Cecil Smith Jr. (Kim Smith) and a connector to numerous cousins, family and friends who fought for her and loved her for who she was.

She is preceded in death by her maternal grandmother Martha Lovelace, her mother Sheila Smith and father Cecil Smith Sr. Her smile and determination to see any obstacle through will be greatly missed.

“Either find a way, or make one.” - Cecilia Marie Austin.

A vigil will be held on Sunday, July 11th 7pm-9pm at Community Park- 1700 Glenn Lakes Ln Missouri City 77459. Balloons and candles will be provided, but limited. Guests are welcome to bring their own. The family asks that you wear yellow or a hint of. An official ceremony will be held on Wednesday, July 14th. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the memorial fund which will be used to assist with unexpected expenses and to establish a scholarship award for aspiring journalists.