Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Jerome “Jerry” Wayne Austin Sr. was born on January 17, 1951 in Fireco, WV. He was the 10th of 12 children born to the late Nathaniel and Beatrice Brown Austin.

Jerome, after graduating from high school, joined the Navy and served during the Vietnam War. He graduated from West Virginia Institute of Technology with a degree in business. He loved helping the underserved, and soon after entered the insurance field. Then later started his own business, and worked as an independent insurance agent.

Jerome was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend to so many. His smile and energy could bring light to pure darkness. He enjoyed time with his family and friends. He loved the strategic challenge of competition, displaying a love for chess, cards, and especially checkers. He was an intellectual, he was passionate, driven, and a natural born leader. His pure heart was filled with joy and he shared that joy with anyone he met.

Jerome chose his life partner, Benita, and they had two children, Monique and Wayne. He relocated his young family to Greensboro, NC and worked hard to build them a home and a life in Greensboro. He encouraged other family members to relocate, and opened his home to give those a safe place of transition. He was proud to help his nieces and nephews in any way he could, and always put family first. He impacted the lives of many, serving his elderly community. He loved his neighborhood, and enjoyed helping anyone in need. After retirement, he focused on his family. He adored his family, especially his 5 grandchildren.

Jerome passed peacefully, safe and sound, in his home – surrounded by those who loved him.

Jerome, in addition to his parents, was preceded in death by his sisters: Brenda Jean Austin, Sandra Faye Parker, and Catherine Austin and also brothers-in-law, Dead McDowell and Allen Smith.

Jerome leaves to cherish precious memories his wife, Benita Austin; two children, Jeri Monique Austin and Jerome (Cornichia) Wayne Austin II, both of Greensboro, NC; four brothers, Nathaniel Austin of Cleveland, OH, Clifford Eugene Austin of Charleston, WV, Robert Lee (Thomasa) Austin and Larry (Mary) Austin of Beckley, WV; three sisters, Laverne Smith of Raleigh, NC, Linda McDowell of Richmond, VA and Patricia Keller of Beckley, WV; five grand-children, Christopher Austin Douglas, Amaya Yasmine Kuilan, Caitlyn Adanya Douglas, Malayah Nicole Austin, and Zayden Wayne Austin, all of Greensboro, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Jerome will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Sunday, January 16, 2022 at Free & Independent Holiness Church 106 7th St. Beckley with Evangelist Rosa Clark officiating. Entombment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Prosperity.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may view and visit with the family one hour prior to the funeral service.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.