J. W. Austin, age 83, of Trion, GA, died on Thursday, March 24, 2016, at his residence.
Mr. Austin was born November 17, 1932, in Anniston, AL, son of the late Willie and Lena Austin. He was married for 63 years to Sylvia Sprayberry Austin, and they were blessed with four daughters and one son. Besides being a loving husband, father, and grandfather, he loved his Almighty Savior in which he served as an ordained Deacon since April 3, 1977. Mr. Austin was a member of the Trion First Baptist Church and spent most of his life singing gospel music where he traveled all over the southern United States spreading God's word through song with "The Millionaire Gospel Singers." After years of singing with the Hayes family, he and his family continued spreading the gospel with song. Mr. Austin also served in the United States Navy for four years and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was employed with Combustion Engineering in Chattanooga, for 36 years until his retirement, and was known as "The Millionaire." He was also the owner and operator of Trion Cleaners. After retirement, he worked part-time at Trion Drugs until his health began to decline.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Frankie Austin Patterson; and son-in-laws, Jeff Chandler and Jerry Edwards.
Mr. Austin is survived by his wife, Sylvia Austin; daughters and sons-in-law, Melody Edwards, Lynn and Ricky Lanier, Sandra and Verlon Bethune, Karen Chandler; daughter-in-law, Rolinda Patterson; God-daughter, Arley Cruz; grandchildren, Jerri Kaye and Robbie Turner, Matthew and Jessica Lanier, Hope and Danny Calaway, Daniel Lanier and Paige Robbins, Trace and Paige Bethune, Nakia and Taylor Knott, Blake Bethune, Courtney Chandler, Hayden Chandler, and Joey Browning; great-grandchildren, Jerid Turner, Kyra and Kaymin Calaway, Kasen and Kaleb Lanier, Josh and Juliana Robbins, and Deyvn Knott. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services for Mr. Austin will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, at the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Rob Bray, Rev. Casey Bramlett, and Bro. Steve Peppers officiating. Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be grandsons, Hayden Chandler, Daniel Lanier, Matthew Lanier, Blake Bethune, Taylor Knott, Robbie Turner, and Danny Calaway. Honorary pallbearers will be Myra Tucker, Employees of Hearth Hospice, Adam Lathem, Jack Nelson, Tab and Sue Gable, Jimmy and Dollie Rosato, Pat Bethune, Dot Wilson, Doyle and Laura Kelly, All former Millionaire Singers, Employees of Trion Drugs, Johnny and Cindi Gilreath, Sammy and Eriko Locklear, Brenda and Charles Littlejohn, Wes and Dawn Armstrong, Johnny and Linda Armstrong, James and Elvia Berry, Tim and Kathy Thompson, Tommy and Susan Thompson, Sandra Peppers, Waydell Howell, Linda and Ray Hancock, Sandy Hancock, Hope Howard, Gwen Bentley, Billy Locklear, and the Hayes Family.
Mr. Austin will be in state at the Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, March 25.