Michael Bradley Austin

Michael Bradley Austin, 38, passed away on October 25, 2019 in Palm Beach County, Florida. He was born on June 26, 1981 in Plantation, Florida, the son of Blake Austin and Rebecca (Wood) Austin. He moved with his family to Alabama in 1985 where they lived in Alabaster and Helena.

Michael is survived by his parents, his sister Melissa Kathleen (Austin) Smith, her husband Jerry Smith, his niece Elizabeth and his nephew Jackson, Michael’s other sister Meredith Blakley (Austin) Moorer, her husband Gaines Moorer, his nieces Lillian and Charlotte and nephew Upton; plus many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Michael loved the Lord and wasn’t afraid to speak of his faith to other people. He loved his church, Church of the Highlands, and the teachings of Pastor Chris Hodges. He would watch the services online when he was in Florida and often call home to discuss the message that he had seen. One of his most recent joys was when he and his Dad were baptized together in late 2018. Michael loved contemporary worship music, especially Hillsong Worship. Sometimes, when he had struggles, he was able to center himself by getting in the car and just driving, listening to the music and lyrics. One of his favorite Hillsong worship songs was “As It Is (In Heaven)”, which speaks to the assurance of heaven.

Growing up, Michael was always in for fun with his family. He loved visiting his grandparents in Illinois and Michigan. Memories that he cherished included getting up early and feeding the cattle with his grandfather and uncles, and hours spent hiking in the woods and roasting hot dogs over a fire at Thanksgiving. At Easter, his Aunt Rosalie made an elaborate egg tree with a big outdoor egg hunt. He and his sisters would fly kites on a hill in the pasture and ride 4-wheelers with his cousins Billy Joe and Michael Dean. His uncle Hansel would form a rhythm band with all the kids playing instruments.

Christmas was always a memorable family time which included lots of card games with his Aunt Barb. On trips to Florida Michael often joined with his Florida cousins, Tommy and Jeff to find ways to torment their sisters. They all enjoyed piling into the back of the antique pickup truck for rides to the Suwannee River.

Michael loved his sisters, enjoyed riding bikes, playing board games, and having water balloon fights; but he also enjoyed pestering them, telling spooky stories to them such as having an Indian graveyard in the backyard. He stood up for them as well, one time telling a 10th grade girl to stop bothering his younger sister.

Michael was always an open and friendly person to those around him. He easily made friends and could start a conversation with anyone. He was generous with all that he had, giving his money and clothes away if he thought someone needed it. He loved nature and animals, enjoying God’s creation all around him. Once while working on a road crew, he brought home a young Bassett hound that he found on the side of the road, which he named Clementine.

He loved his nieces and nephews, and being young at heart, would play and laugh and be excited with them. He was present and in the moment with the kids. He didn’t take for granted the time he spent with them, seeing the joy they brought and how much he loved them; never forgetting birthdays or Christmas presents. This past Christmas he spent more time with the kids than the adults, sitting on the floor playing with their toys. His niece Charlotte asked him at least 10 times to come play with her at her dollhouse. He loved his grandparents, taking the time to see and visit with them even when they lived in nursing homes.

In his passing, Michael was an example of how to love your family, your friends, the Lord and the world around him. His life was shortened but he tried to live each day to the fullest. In the words of Michael’s great aunt Loree Culver:

“If you have a song to sing, sing it now. Let the notes of gladness ring clear as a songbird in the Spring. Let every day some music bring, sing it now. If you have kind words to say, say them now. Tomorrow may not come your way. Do a kindness while you may, loved ones will not always stay; Do it now.”