Norman Austin

Ruffin, NC Norman Thomas Austin, Sr., age 83, of Guerrant Springs Road, Ruffin, N.C. surrounded by his loved ones past from this life to be with his Lord and Saviour, Saturday, December 29, 2007 after a courageous 10 year battle with cancer. In Daddys words Via Con Dias. Dad was a native of Caswell County and the son of the late James E. and Effie Cobb Austin. Dad lived in Rockingham County for 60years. First retiring from Citizens Auto Finance and then from Schewels Furniture Company as Credit Manager. After attending school in Caswell and Alamance Counties he furthered his education at Burlington Business College and later taught there. Dad was a US Army veteran serving as a Medic for over 3 years with the 7th and 10th Medical Unit in the European Theatre during WW II. He was an avid fisherman, chess player and reader of history and western literature. Along side his wife, Mable, they grew azaleas, rhododendrons, hostas and Christmas trees making a hobby into a thriving business for a number of years. Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mable Summers Austin of Ruffin who died on December 29, 2004 just 3 years to the day of Daddys passing; his parents, sisters, Joanne McGuire, Rosie Wrenn, Hazel Longest and a brother, Claude Austin. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Norman T. Austin, Jr. and his wife, Kellie of Eden; daughters and sons-in-law, Marie Austin Martin and her husband, Barry G. Martin, Sr. of Eden and Carolyn Austin Gibson and her husband, Joseph Allen Gibson of Ringgold, Virginia; grandchildren, Norman T. Austin, III, Barry Butch G. Martin, Jr., Steven Conrad and Erika Reece; great grandchildren; Lexie and Austin Doggett, Adrianna Austin and Seth Conrad; sister, Luzine A. Johnson and brothers, James E. Austin, Dexter Austin all of Burlington and Leon Austin of Neptune beach, Florida. The family would like to thank the staff of Annie Penn Hospital and the Penn Skilled Care Center for their devoted care during Dads final days. A special Thank You to Mr. Bobby Turner of Reidsville who remained a true and steadfast friend throughout Daddys battle. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Jerry T. Smith, Rev. Robert Peterson, Pastor Clayton Murphy and Bishop Howard Webster. The burial will follow at Alamance Memorial Park with military honors provided by the 82nd Airborne Division. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home and other times at the home of Howard Webster, 709 Wagoner Drive, Elon, NC 27244.. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Rockingham County, 2150 NC 65, P O Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375 or Leaksville Moravian Church, 709 McConnell Street, Eden, NC 27288 or Shinning Light Baptist Church, Blairmont Drive, Blairs, Virginia.