Joe B. Austin

BLUEFIELD- Joe B. Austin, 82, of Wythe Avenue, Bluefield, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2014 at the Westwood Center in Bluefield, VA. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” A wonderful husband, father, grandfather, friend and so much more, who lived with love and kindness, Joe fought a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease and left this world on Monday, September 15, 2014. Born on October 12, 1931, he was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Maggie Austin; brothers Sam and Paul Austin; sisters Pauline Ringstaff, Audrey Pruitt and Hazel Carter. His loving sister Grace Henderson lives in Pennsylvania with her husband Walt. He was married to his bride, Eunice for 60 years. He was the father of three children, daughter Annette and her husband Joel Yocum of Bluefield, Virginia; son Barry, of Trinity, North Carolina; daughter Beverly and her husband L.J. Weslowski of Concord, North Carolina. He was “Papa Joe” to Amanda and her husband Phillip Reese, and their two beautiful daughters, Braelyn and Gabrielle; Emily Perdue, Sarah Austin, Eric Austin and his wife Sandi, Brennan Austin, and Katie Yocum. He was blessed to have many nieces and nephews. “Love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength.” Joe lived this day in and day out. More than anything, he wanted to help others come to Christ. He invited friends and neighbors to church, a church where he loved serving, Edgemont Baptist. He was a deacon for many years, worked with the children and youth, and always loved working on projects at the church. Mom met Dad when they were working at Service Storage and they married soon after Dad returned from the Korean War. They settled down and started their family in Bluefield. He worked for Smith’s Transfer for almost forty years and then for Acken Signs before retiring. He and Eunice enjoyed traveling together on many adventures. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. To have everyone together in the kitchen holding hands for a prayer before a family gathering were some of his happiest moments. He loved to golf, play dominoes and card games and was relentless at Monopoly, much to his grandchildren’s chagrin. He always had a word of wisdom, an ear to listen and a hug when we needed one. Our family used all three quite often. He is in Heaven now, smiling and happy, free of pain and rejoicing with family and friends that are already there. The family looks forward to remembering him during a visitation time on Wednesday, September 17th from 12:00-2:00 PM with a celebration of life service to follow led by Pastor Hugh Cole at 2:00 PM at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, West Virginia. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton with military honors being performed by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Edgemont Baptist Church, 2507 Jefferson Street, Bluefield, West Virginia. Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com Cravens-Shires Funeral Home, 3431 Coal Heritage Road (Bluewell), Bluefield, WV 24701 is serving the family.