Qua Sonnette Mattix Austin was born on May 2, 1952, to Nellie Luberta Turner, a teacher, and John Ed Mattix, a brick mason, in Columbus, Mississippi. She was the eldest of three siblings, alongside John Edwina Mattix and Florette Denise Mattix. While born in Columbus, Qua spent her formative years in West Point, Mississippi, and later in Greenville, Mississippi, where she graduated from Greenville High School. Following studies at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, she returned to Mississippi, assuming various significant roles within the Golden Triangle community throughout her lifetime.

On August 30, 1978, Qua Mattix entered matrimony with Curtis H. Austin Sr., who subsequently served on the Columbus City Council and as a municipal judge until his passing. This union marked the inception of a loving partnership that endured over three decades. Together, they were blessed with four children: Curtis Homer Austin Jr., Jessica-Elise Turner Austin, Whitney Brewer Austin Pointe, and Amelia Rebecca Austin. Qua and Curtis instilled in their children values of love, family heritage, and ambitious aspirations.

Possessing a keen intellect and an extensive community network, Qua Austin demonstrated profound knowledge of her community, local governance, and state affairs, enabling her to make significant contributions and impact through the family law practice alongside her husband.

Qua's profound grasp of American and Black Southern History empowered her to weave together historical fragments into comprehensive family narratives. She took pride in her ability to connect individuals with resources and opportunities, embodying a genuine desire to assist others.

A staunch advocate for quality public education, Qua fearlessly championed policies to enhance the educational landscape of her community. Her lifelong passion for art, culture, history, gastronomy, and music underscored her enduring curiosity and interests.

An active member of Sanders Chapel CME Church, Qua dedicated considerable effort to serving different organizations within the church community, before moving to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area to reside with her children.

Qua held a deep-seated love and respect for her family's lineage, accomplishments, and potential. Central to her identity was a commitment to personal growth and evolving beliefs marked by thoughtfulness, openness, and inclusivity.

While her physical presence is no longer with us, Qua's legacy lives on through the indelible impact she had on countless lives. Her warmth, laughter, and love will be sorely missed, but her spirit will forever resonate in the hearts of those she cherished and those she enriched.

Preceding Qua in death were her mother, Nellie Luberta Turner; father, John Ed Mattix; stepmother, Earline Coleman-Mattix; husband, Curtis H. Austin Sr.; daughter, Jessica-Elise Turner Austin; and daughter, Amelia Rebecca Austin.

Though she has departed, Qua leaves behind a rich tapestry of family members (Turners, Mattix, Austins, Gambles, Sykes) who will continue her legacy, including but not limited to Edwina Mattix, Florette Mattix, Pia Mattix Davis, Simone Galloway, Jesse Turner Jr. (Joyce), Lisa Turner, Allegra Hatem, Eric Turner (Wanda Whitmore), Ray Turner (Ethel), Frances Turner, Dr. Jesse Turner III (Dr. Kalatu Davies-Turner), Michael Turner, Christy M. Turner, Brian Turner, Howard Holloway, Phyllis Holloway-Jackson, Rita Mattix, Sandra Mattix, Wanda Abioto, Amenta Abioto, Intisar Abioto, Kalimah Abioto, Aisha Abioto, Jason L. Austin (Angela), Olanre Woodrick, Mike Melvin (Nicole), Marcus Melvin (Diva), Cornelia Greene Smith (Nick), Courtney Bryant, Travis Bryant, Chauncy Austin, Mary Woodrick, Peggy Austin-Greene, Dr. Cindy Austin, Carol Bryant, Virginia Austin, Sonya Austin, Reneatta Austin, Brenda Randolph (Jerry), Carolyn Denard, Janice Ewing (Willie B.), Felice Grayson (Derrick), Courtney Dawson (Eric), Joel Denard, Miriam Denard, and many others (with apologies for any omissions).

Carter's Funeral Services is inviting you to a scheduled livestream for the Memorial Celebration for Qua Sonnette Mattix Austin
on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. CST.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2061604094?pwd=5hKBLbt1GETr1roA0NKfvG2PO78gCk.1&omn=88686800099

Meeting ID: 206 160 4094
Passcode: carters

In lieu of florals, memorial donations may be made to the following organizations:

The MSMS Foundation ( https://msmsfoundation.com )

The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum ( https://mcrm.mdah.ms.gov ) Make any checks payable to: "Foundation for Mississippi History", Note/For: Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, P.O. Box 571  Jackson, MS  39201-0571

Camp Rising Sun ( https://www.camprisingsunms.com )