Mrs. Augustine "Augie" Todd

Augustine Todd was born August 4, 1920, in Keo, Arkansas, one of 10 children of Lee and Clemmie Mickles Irving. The family moved to Peoria, Illinois, that next year, when “Augie,” as she was affectionately known, was just nine months old. She remained in Peoria until 2002 when she moved to St. Louis. Augie was the sole surviving child of the Irvings. Five sisters and four brothers preceded her in death. Augie attended Peoria public schools and took classes at Bradley University. She married William L. Todd, and devoted much of her married life to raising their daughter and twin sons. Her husband died in 1966 when the couple’s children were young teenagers. Augie then secured a clerical position at the now closed Zeller Mental Health Center in Peoria to ensure that they could attend college. The education of children was a primary driver in Augie’s life. In addition to encouraging her own children and grandchildren to pursue higher education, she mentored many youth she met through her job and her faith. Upon her retirement from Zeller, Augie continued her interaction with children through the Foster Grandparent program. Through it, seniors were matched with community agencies whose primary focus was children. Grandma Augie, as the children knew her, spent 15 years mentoring children as a Foster Grandparent. When she retired from that program, the Peoria Journal Star featured her and another Grandma in an article explaining how the program benefited the children as well as the seniors. Then President George Bush commended her service in a congratulatory letter. Augie was a member of the Bahá'í Faith for more than 50 years. While residing in Peoria, she often appeared publicly to speak about the faith. She continued her observance of the faith in St. Louis, building a strong bond with the Bahá'í community, whose members referred to her as “Miss Augustine.” Augie always sought enlightenment. She stayed current on world affairs. In 2004, she became a resident of the St. Louis area’s Bethesda Dilworth Senior Home. She often surprised the activities directors with her knowledge of current events and her mental agility at playing Bingo. She marveled at the election of Barack Obama, with whom she shared a birthday, as the 44th U.S. President. Upon Augie’s 91st birthday, President and Mrs. Obama sent her a celebratory message. Augie is survived by her children, Cynthia (Kenneth M. Stone) of St. Louis; Craig of Orange County, Calif., Courtney (Gaylene) of Canton, Mich.; five grandchildren, Wendy of St Louis, Christopher of Dallas, Noel of Orange County, and Samuel and Ethan of Canton, Mich.; “bonus grandchildren”, Kerri (Tim) Holloway of St. Louis and Keith (Verna) Stone of Dallas; a “bonus” great-granddaughter, Ashlee Holloway of St Louis; sisters-in-law Vera Irving of Waco, Texas, Louise Dennis and Pauline Young of Washington, D.C; many nephews , nieces and other relatives. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Foster Grandparent Program, 711 W. McBean St., Peoria, IL 61605.

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Mrs. Augustine "Augie" Todd

August 4, 1920 - November 5, 2013