Charles Franklin Austin

Charles was born on July 22, 1935 (age 87) to Winnie Mae Johnstone Austin and Carson William Austin. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty Jane Ponder Austin. He was father to four children: Joy Austin Cox (Phillip), Jill Austin, Jane Austin Chamblee (BJ), and Joe C. Austin (Tracy). He is survived by grandchildren Kelli Cox White (Jeremy), Jacob Chamblee (Michelle), Logan Chamblee (Holly), Molly Chamblee Nanney (John), Mabry Chamblee, JoAnna Austin Kizer (Cory), Megan Austin Hames (Jordan), Jay Austin (Grace), Will Austin, and Hailey Austin. He was proceeded in death by granddaughter JorjAnne Chamblee. He is survived by seven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Charles is survived by brother Carson Lee Austin (Charlotte) and was proceeded in death by sister Mary Etta Moor Reeves and brother Ernest (Bozy) Austin.

Charles was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Pontotoc where he served as deacon for more than 30 years. He was also a Sunday School teacher, Royal Ambassador leader, building committee member, vacation Bible School volunteer; he even served as hamburger griller for church events. He started the church outreach ministry in 1963 by setting up radio broadcasts of church services. Through the years, he led the development of this outreach as a member of the audio-visual committee and leader in the development of broadcasting of church services on TV. He was named deacon emeritus in 2016.

His mother recognized Charles’ lifelong love of mechanical things when as a child he took apart clocks and radios to learn how they operated. This interest led Charles to work in radio and TV repair, and over the years he owned businesses for electronics repair and TV and appliance sales. He was part of a team that installed the first TV cable in Pontotoc and northeast Mississippi. In the 1970’s he purchased the Joy Theater and operated the business for several years with the full support of his wife and children. His interest in the theater business began in his teenage years when he operated the projectors at the Joy Theater and later at the Pontotoc Drive Inn. Charles spent eight years after his first retirement making custom frames at the Town Framer. After his next retirement, Charles drove a tour bus to locations around the United States including Denver, Washington DC, and Orlando. During these trips, he enjoyed getting to know new people and site-seeing; his favorite adventure during that time was riding a snowmobile across the Continental Divide.

His kind heart led him to help others and his love for his hometown inspired his service in local activities such as volunteering for Pontotoc Park and Recreation, serving on the Bodock Committee, and his service in organizations such as Pontotoc Historical Society, Lions Club, Civitan Club, Rotary Club, and Jaycees. He was often behind the video camera at community events; he was the audio engineer for Christmas parades and for WSEL radio. Charles was quick to lend a helping hand after natural disasters including trips on his own and as a member of the Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief program. His service to the Pontotoc Gideon Camp included serving as treasurer, cooking breakfast before Saturday meetings, and making trips to churches on behalf of the Gideons.

Charles and Betty were high school sweethearts and they enjoyed sixty-eight years of loving companionship. Charles was known as “Pop” by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The youth at First Baptist Church began calling him “Pop” when he drove the church bus for summer trips. During the ten years he drove a school bus for the city schools, he also became “Pop” to those children who rode the bus to and from school.

Honorary pallbearers are Pontotoc Gideon Camp, FBC Audio Visual Committee, Rick Burgett, Mark Crenshaw, Steve Montgomery, George Stegall, and Mike Vance. Pallbearers will be family members.

Special thanks to Home Care Hospice for their loving care.

Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church sanctuary on Monday, December 12 from 5 – 7 pm and Tuesday, December 13 from 10 – 10:45 am. A celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church on Tuesday, December 13 at 11 a.m. Memorials may be made to The Gideons – Pontotoc Camp, P.O. Box 535, Pontotoc, MS 38863 or First Baptist Church, 31 Washington Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863.