Jerry L. Austin

Jerry Lee Austin, 70, of Lenoir, beloved husband, father, Pop, brother and friend, died unexpectedly Monday, July 1st, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. Born May 28, 1944, in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Garland Avery Austin and Myrtle Deal Austin. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Wanda Gail Boyles.

A 1962 graduate of St. Stephens High School, Jerry attended Lenoir Rhyne University and Catawba Valley Technical Institute where here earned an Associates Degree in Design. He was a furniture designer for Stanley and Broyhill Furniture companies early in his career. He later co-owned two businesses, The Wooden Lantern and 3 J's and Art. After he retired from Lowe's, Jerry enjoyed making jelly, baking cookies, piddling in his wood-working shop and spending time with his family. He was a unique, fun-loving guy with a goofy sense of humor who loved to entertain people, especially his grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory is "the best thing that ever happened to him", his wife of 26 years, Carol Beach Austin. He is also survived by three children, Chad Donovan Austin of Hickory, NC, Amy Holloway Moore and husband, John, of Lenoir and Anna Holloway of Lenoir; six grandchildren, Jordyn Roberts, Ben Roberts, Dylan Moore, Jessie Moore, Austen Moore and Donovan Austin; a sister, Sandra Ann Lyon; a brother, Kevin Dwain Austin; sister-in-laws Anne Greene, Becky Pope and Cindy Beach; brother-in-laws David Beach, Billy Pope and Scott Henderson; and several nieces and nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins.

A celebration of Jerry's life will be held Tuesday, July 8, at 4 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Lenoir. Interment will follow in the church columbarium. Prior to the service, the family will receive friends at a "mingling" in the church fellowship hall from 2 to 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church of Lenoir, 304 Main Street N.W., Lenoir, NC, 28645 or Defenders of Wildlife, 1130 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036.

Condolences to the family may be placed at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com

Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements