Lindsay Rae (Austin) Scales

On April 25th, 2025, Lindsay Rae (Austin) Scales was ushered into glory while holding her momma's hand after an incredibly brave 13-week battle with cancer at the age of 44.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Chestnut Mountain Church on Thursday, May 7, with an opportunity to visit with family and friends from 5 to 6 PM, followed by the service at 6.

Lindsay Rae, born June 12th, 1981, was kind and creative from the start. Inquisitive and fun-loving, she was joy personified while growing up in Virginia, South Carolina and ultimately in Hall County, where she made lifelong friends. Lindsay was the coolest. She had a unique sense of self, a style that was wholly hers, and a sense of humor that could bring any of us to our knees with laughter. You never knew what you were going to get into when you were with her. When you pair her genuine goodness and kindness with her dry wit, you get this phenomenal woman who was an absolute pleasure to know and love.

Lindsay was a fierce woman. She loved her family deeply, pouring her care and attention into those closest to her. She also loved her community selflessly, providing magical moments for countless children and their families through the years, most recently at the Braselton Library. 

From an early age, she showed a passion for books, literacy, teaching, and creating moments of whimsy for anyone lucky enough to be near her. This passion led to a position at Brenau University's Child Development Center while she was completing her Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education. She married her husband, Josh Scales, in October of 2007 and had her two wonderful children: Jaxsen Scales in 2011 and Jaysen Scales in 2013. Her first position in a Library system was a brief time at the Spout Springs Branch of the Hall County Library system. From there, she went to the Athens-Clarke Library System, where she tapped into her love of reading and storytelling and began a long career of creating magical moments. She then found her place at the Braselton Library, where she has truly endeared herself to the hearts and minds of so many library patrons over the past 8 years. Her legacy there will inspire those families for decades. 

While Lindsay loved and tended to the needs of everyone she met, above all, she did this for her family, endlessly. Her love for Josh and her boys was deep, unending, and oftentimes, quite silly. From thoughtfully and intricately themed family Halloween costumes to creating magical moments in her home during holidays, she poured her entire self into making even the most normal tasks special. She loved cooking and decorating with her boys, her true legacy, and they will carry her wit and love forever.

Like her coffee with Snickers creamer, somehow the cup she poured from never seemed to run dry. She always made space, not only for the family in her home, but for her entire family. She had the uncanny ability to make anyone feel seen, safe, and welcomed. While she was a devoted daughter to Bobby and Tammy Austin, Lindsay was also a true best friend to her “momma.” Unto her very last breath earthside, Lindsay and Tammy’s bond was unshakeable. 

Her loss is insurmountable, but Jesus is with us in our grief. Our hearts are shattered, but Jesus is holding us together. You cannot mend a tear so great when a person so dearly treasured is gone so terribly soon, but Jesus reminds us that death is powerless against such love. Lindsay’s fight with cancer was akin to a lioness fighting for the safety of herself and her cubs. She was dignified and smart, determined and courageous. She kept her perpetual silliness through every treatment, every bout of pain, every moment that would have broken most of us. She was still making us laugh in those final days, still thinking of others, still being so kind. 

It is unfathomable to think that we now stand on a planet where she does not. Our assurance of seeing her again in Heaven brings us hope and peace. Her surviving family’s love is only part of her incredible legacy.      

Lindsay is deeply grieved by:

Her husband, Josh Scales; sons, Jaxsen Scales and Jay Scales; parents, Bobby & Tammy Austin; brother Chris & Eryn Austin (Maddy, River, Primrose); grandparents, Bobby & Jane Cantrell and Gerald & Sylvia Austin; aunt, Tracy & Jim Dickson (Caroline); uncle Terry & Beth Austin (Ty); Gerry & Carolyn Austin and family; cousins, Sara White Kiser and family;  Jake White and family; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Tinnie and Melvin Scales; sister-in-law, Kim Dutchess (Emma) and countless other family members and dear friends whom she loved deeply.  

Preceded in death by: paternal grandmother, Malinda Brown Austin and aunt, Hollye Austin White; brother-in-law, Mark Dutchess

The family asks that, instead of flowers, donations be given to the Friends of the Braselton Library in her honor. Please call 706-654-1992 for details on how to donate.

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542 is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lindsay Rae (Austin) Scales, please visit our floral store.