Bessie Sims Austin
A Woman of Compassion, Vision, and Community Spirit
Bessie May Sims Austin was born on February 24, 1896, to William Robert Sims and Matilda Sims. Tragically, both of her parents passed away in 1907, leaving behind five children — two sons and three daughters. The siblings were taken in by Charles and Madrina Premont of Premont, Texas, a respected family involved in the cattle and oil industries.
Bessie was educated in a Catholic convent and later became engaged to Darwin Stramm of San Antonio, remaining devoted to him until his passing. Determined to serve others, she pursued a career in nursing and graduated from the St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in San Angelo, Texas.
A Calling to Heal
After earning her qualifications as a registered nurse, Bessie began her professional career at Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio. It was there, in April 1939, that her life would take an unexpected turn.
During that time, Charles O. Austin, a prominent Cleveland banker, civic leader, and former Texas State Banking Commissioner, was admitted to Santa Rosa Hospital with a critical case of pneumonia. He had become ill while attending a press and banker convention in San Antonio with John Manthey, publisher of the Cleveland Advocate and president of the Texas Gulf Coast Press Association.
Miss Sims treated Mr. Austin with a new sulfa drug, which had only recently been approved for hospital use. Under her care, he made a remarkable recovery within five weeks. Mr. Austin later returned to San Antonio for follow-up visits, and through those encounters, the two developed a lasting bond.
On December 2, 1939, Bessie Sims and Charles O. Austin were married in the rectory of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church in San Antonio. After a ten-day wedding trip through South Texas, the couple settled in Cleveland, where they lived together until 1943, when they moved to Liberty, Texas, upon Mr. Austin’s election as Liberty County Judge.
Continuing a Legacy of Service
Following Mr. Austin’s passing in October 1944, Bessie returned to Cleveland, where she devoted her life to community service and philanthropy. She continued the tradition of civic generosity begun by her late husband, giving freely to churches, charitable causes, and local organizations.
Mrs. Austin played a key role in the founding of the Charles O. Austin Memorial Library, donating the land that became its home. Her vision and generosity ensured that Cleveland would have a lasting place for learning, culture, and connection.
In addition to her library contributions, she donated a six-lot site and part of a building to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, reflecting her deep faith and commitment to her community. She was also an active member of the Cleveland Pilot Club and one of the few women in Texas at the time to serve as Chairman of a Bank Board — at the Farmers State Bank of Cleveland.
Alongside Jack McKellar, the bank’s president, she co-owned the Cleveland Insurance Company. Through her business and civic leadership, Mrs. Austin helped shape Cleveland’s growth during a transformative time in its history.
A Lasting Influence
In her later years, Mrs. Austin’s health began to decline, and she passed away in 1966. Yet her influence remains deeply woven into the fabric of Cleveland’s identity.
Her generosity and foresight not only built the foundation for the Austin Memorial Library, but also created a legacy of learning, compassion, and community that continues to inspire new generations.
Today, her name — alongside that of her beloved husband — lives on through the Austin Memorial Library, a lasting tribute to two individuals whose shared vision transformed a small Texas town into a thriving center for knowledge and culture.