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On February 3, 2023 Cheryl Metts Austin left this earth to share her bright eyes and full heart with God in his kingdom. She was born on June 23, 1944 to Sallie and Carey Metts in Greensboro, NC. The second of four children, she excelled at sewing at a young age and showed a penchant for care giving. After graduating from Page High School in 1962, she furthered her education at the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in Charlotte. Upon completing her training, she moved to Chapel Hill where, while working at the University hospital, she met her husband and best friend Fred Austin, a medical student at UNC. They were married in 1969 and after stops in Georgia, Massachusetts, and Kentucky settled in Little Washington, not far from her beloved beach. Along the way, her creativity blossomed as she redesigned the interiors of her homes using unorthodox materials and design ingenuity. The spaces she created married bold style with Southern hospitality at a scale that could only be rivaled by the size of her heart. She showered her love on those around her and welcomed everyone with a twinkle in her eye and infectious smile. She had always wanted a large family and treated the friends of her boys, the kids on West Main Street, and the countless ball players Fred coached as such. Regularly cooking far more food than needed for supper in the event that someone stopped by. She cherished the time she spent with her tennis team and was honored to be a member of the Addisco Book Club for over 30 years. She was always eager to host bridal and baby showers and luncheons at her waterfront home and loved finding creative ways to decorate each event. In retirement, she relocated to Givens Estates in Asheville, NC where she lovingly cared for Fred for over seven years. She is survived by her husband; sons Dac (Elizabeth) and Trevor (Kirstin); grandchildren Maura, Evelyn, Ursula, Clark, and Eleanor; sister Gayle (Charlie) Adams; brothers Carey (Jennie) Metts and Kenneth (Becky) Metts as well as many nieces and nephews. A celebration of her life will be held on February 10 at 4pm at the Pulliam Chapel at Givens Estates in Asheville. Memorial gifts may be made to the Givens Communities Resident Assistant Ministry (www.givenscommunities.org/giving) or the Williamson Lovelights Fund, 551 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC 28806.