John Manuel Austin, age 81, passed away suddenly on September 21, 2013. Mr. Austin was the son of the late Arthur G. and Pearl Ashley Austin and the husband of Laura Davis Austin. He is also survived by one son, Marion D. Austin of Columbia; two daughters, Angela A. Melton and her husband Bobby of Chester, Janice A. Wade and her husband Doug of Chester; one brother, Richard Austin of Rock Hill; one sister , Joyce Austin Odell of Rock Hill. He is also survived by one son-in-law Neil Alexander; his 12 grand children, Greg Melton, Rebecca Hare, Jennifer Allen, Doug Wade, Amanda Crockett, Dale Austin, Grant Alexander, Heather Millwood, Elizabeth Tillman, Carolyn Tillman, Krystal Austin, Christina Austin; and 16 great-grand-children. Mr. Austin was preceded in death by; two daughters, Sandy Alexander and Mary Tillman; one brother, Edward Austin.
Mr. Austin was a sixty year member of First Free Will Baptist Church and he had served as a deacon for 41 years.
The visitation for Mr. Austin will be held in the sanctuary of First Free Will Baptist Church of Chester, Monday, from 1 to 2 p.m. The funeral will immediately follow at 2 p.m. and be conducted by the Rev. James Sanders. The burial will be in Chester Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the General Fund of the First Free Will Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1656, Chester, SC 29706.
The family is gathering at 109 Maiden Lane.