VICKIE HYTCHYE

Vicki Janae Austin-Hytchye was born on November 4, 1962 to Minnie Austin and Ellie Austin, Jr. Due to her father’s service in the United States Air Force, Vicki grew up in San Antonio, Texas where she attended Sam Houston High School. In high school she was known as “Little Miss Sunshine” for her small figure and bright positive personality. Vicki was known for her love of music, dance, and writing short stories and poetry. Throughout her years at Sam Houston, she served as cheerleader and writer for the school newspaper.

After high school, Vicki attended Texas State University where she pursued a writing degree. She developed a bond of life long sisterhood when she pledged and was proudly inducted into the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.  Inspired by her older sister and her passion for helping others, Vicki transitioned into the medical field. She graduated from San Antonio College of Nursing in 1984 and subsequently worked within the Baptist Memorial Hospital System. While she gladly worked in other areas, she had a passion for serving patients in the maternity ward and intensive care unit. She often spoke fondly of her time working alongside her older sister, nurse Gloria Austin Oliver, at Audie L Murphy Hospital. She provided care to veterans for over 20 years until she medically retired in 2006.

In line with her passion for writing and helping others, Vicki established women’s help group and book club dubbed, Sisters with Insight Facing Tomorrow (SWIFT) in 2000. Over the course of 5 years, what started as a small online forum for single mothers to connect, grew into a community of 1000 members of men and women. She is quoted as saying “I wanted to galvanize brothers and sisters who can relate to one another. We as women are already powerful. I realized how much more we can appreciate our power through unity, truthful togetherness, and sisterhood.”

Vicki leaves to cherish her memories, her son Doyle D. Hytchye and daughter-in-law Chelsea Hytchye; brother Bobby W. Austin; nephews Marques Williams and Wilburn Tanner III; nieces Brandie Williams and Lakiesha Austin and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

INTERMENT: PRIVATE