Gwendolyn Young Augustine's Obituary
Gwendolyn Young Augustine, age 70, better known as “Nonni”, passed away after a brief and sudden illness, surrounded by the love of her family and friends, on September 21, 2018, in Bartlett, Tennessee. Gwen was born on June 15, 1948, in Selmer, Tennessee. She was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, attending Kingsbury Elementary School and graduating from Treadwell High School in 1966. On November 15, 1986, she married the love of her life and best friend, John Augustine, whom she had first started dating on November 22, 1960, when they were 12 years old. She often said of John that the reason he was born the day after her, on June 16, was that God knew she was going to need some help later on.She began her career in the medical field as a lab technician at Baptist Memorial Hospital, going on later to work as a physician’s assistant, transcriptionist, medical secretary, and finally practice administrator at the Memphis Cancer Center. But her favorite occupation came when she and John opened their own business together, Tradewinds International, where they were able to work together every day brokering wild rice.Nonni was best known to her family, her friends, and her fellow church members for her lively spirit, her generosity, her hospitality, her sense of humor, her ability to make others laugh, and for he amazing capacity to love and make those around her feel treasured. She never merely existed, but always lived her life to the fullest. She was always busy, whether cooking and baking, painting, shopping with her granddaughter, spending time with friends, or attending the grandkids’ activities — but always giving of her time and talents no matter what she engaged in.Gwen was preceded in death by her mother, Inez Young; her father; two sisters; and two brothers. She is survived by her loving husband, John Augustine; her daughter and son-in-law, Laney and Jeff Traylor; her stepdaughters and their husbands, Denise Augustine Gandis and John Gandis and Julie Augustine Bater and Tim Bater; her “adopted” children Angie and Will Dougan; and her eight grandchildren, Spencer William Dougan, Rebekah Ellen Dougan, John Augustine Dougan, Cliff Gandis, Zoe Gandis, Constantine Gandis, Wyatt Augustine Spurrier, and Patrick Bryce Spurrier.Visitation will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, September 24, 2018, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lakeland, Tennessee, 2949 Davies Plantation Road, Lakeland, TN 38002. (Davies Plantation at U. S. Hwy. 64). The funeral service will follow at 4 p.m., with a meal afterward in the church Fellowship Hall. Memorial Park Funeral Home has charge. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Paul UMC.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”. Service details and obituary will be posted as soon as they become available.
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