Ms. Austeen Baldwin Reese was born to the Late Mr. Charlie Baldwin and Mrs. Annie Lee Fields Baldwin on March 13, 1941.

She was preceded in death by her parents, six siblings, Mr. Frank Baldwin, Mrs. Asperline Johnson, Mr. Henry Baldwin, Mr. Galvesta Baldwin, Mr. Lee Baldwin, and Ms. Annie Lee Baldwin; four sons, Mr. Willie Darrell Laster, Mr. Warnell Thomas, Jr., Mr. Tony Baldwin Thomas and Mr. Jimmy Lewis, Jr.

Austeen joined the Summerhill Missionary Baptist Church at an early age.

Austeen graduated from Mitchell County Training School in 1957 and furthered her education at Thomas College, Thomasville, Georgia. Following graduation from high school, she worked various jobs as a Domestic Caregiver.

Austeen was the proud mother of eight (8) boys, grandmother of seven (7) and great grandmother of nine (9).

In her leisure time, Austeen enjoyed spending quality time with her children, grands and great grands.

Left to cherish Austeen's precious memories and legacy are four (4) sons,  Mr. Larry Baldwin Thomas, Mr. Charles Preston Thomas and Mr. David Jerome Lewis all of Pelham, Georgia,  and Mr. Keith Anthony Thomas (Jacqueline) of Thomasville Georgia; one stepson, Warren Cornelius Thomas of Pelham, Georgia; one god-daughter, Alice Griffin Williams of Tennessee; her grandchildren, great grandchildren; two brothers, Mr. Harold Fields Baldwin, Atlanta, Georgia and  Mr. Freddie Allen Baldwin, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; two sisters, Mrs. Veronica Mango (Frank), and Ms. Gloria Sims both of Pelham, Georgia and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.