- Date Of Birth: January 11, 1937
- Date Of Death: April 22, 2008
- State: Illinois
Robert Lee Austin, 71, of Jacksonville, died early Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at St. Johnâ??s Hospital in Springfield.
He was born Jan. 11, 1937, in Little Rock, Ark., the son of Robert and Mary Ester Edwards Austin. He married Alberta Allen and she preceded him in death in 1975. He later married Vernon M.D. Bone-Carter on April 29, 1976, in Olmsted, IL. and she preceded him in death on Oct. 19, 1997.
He is survived by seven children, Paul Austin, Jr. and Cheryl Lorraine Austin both of Sikeston, MO, Annie Marie Austin and Michael Kenny (wife, Patricia) Austin all of Springfield, Shirley Bee Austin of Ullin, Robert Carnell Austin of Cairo and Tammy Jane Austin of Jacksonville; seventeen step-children, Albert Douglas Young of South Carolina, Carolyn Sue Allen and Sammy Lee Young both of Atlanta, GA, Marty Edward (wife, Pam) Carter, Loretta Carter, Peggy Carter and Willis Dwayne (wife, Deborah) Carter all of Jacksonville, Ozie (husband, Jeff) Ruffin and Vaeda Reich of Joliet, Floyd Carter of Amelo, Holland, Eunice (husband, Don) McCracken of Bardwell, KY, Audrey Carter of Seymour, IN, Laymon (wife, Karen) Carter of Virginia, Charles (wife, Bonnie) Carter, and Lloyd Carter of Springfield, Odes Carter of Robinson and Tommy(wife, Cheryl) Carter of Marion and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by one brother, Joe Austin; and two sisters, Mary and Elizabeth.
Mr. Austin was a member of Mt. Emory Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir. After serving in the U.S. Army he worked as a farmer, and later for Burkhart, Inc. in Cairo, IL. He had also worked at the Jacksonville Y.M.C.A. He enjoyed playing the guitar and singing the blues. He loved St. Louis Cardinals baseball. Mr. Austin was a friend to many and loved by all.
