Austin Lawrence Washington

Austin Lawrence Washington, 17, of Navarre, Florida, passed away Thursday, August 4, 2022. He was born April 21, 2005 in Homewood, Alabama. He spent his childhood years in Dothan, Alabama. In his middle school years, he moved to Navarre, where he eventually graduated from Navarre High School.

In high school, Austin was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and his outstanding academic performance earned him dual enrollment at Pensacola State College. He planned to attend the University of Central Florida to study architecture.

Austin was employed at Portofino Island Resort and Sage Paddle Company. His home church was in Gulf Breeze, Florida at Community Life United Methodist, where he was active in the Emerge Youth Group. His favorite pastimes included traveling, eating out, hanging out at the beach with friends, going to the gym, riding roller coasters and going to the car wash. He was notorious for showing up late, even to his own birthday party.

Austin was predeceased by his mother, Amy Hope Washington; one twin brother, Anderson Ross Washington; and paternal grandfather, James Norman Washington, Sr.

Survivors include Austin's father and mother, Jeffrey and Allison Washington; brother, Trey Sherrer (Charlotte); sister, Hannah Sherrer; grandparents, James and Willodean Williams, Calvin and Glenda Hope, Clark Stewart, and Susie Stewart; many special aunts, uncles, and cousins; and numerous friends. Austin also leaves behind his two dogs, Jack and Nash.

The family will greet friends from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Community Life United Methodist Church, 4115 Soundside Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563. The visitation will be immediately followed by A Service of Remembrance for Austin at 12 noon at the church.

On Sunday, August 14, 2022, visitation will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124, followed by the 1 p.m. graveside service at Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham.

The family expresses special thanks to the Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola staff, especially the MICU team; LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services; and Baldwin County First Responders.

“He never met a stranger. Every person in the world, to him, was just a friend he hadn't met yet. He always saw the good in people. Sometimes, that's all he would see, even if no one else could see it.” - Author Melanie Shawn

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made directly to Community Life Church Youth Missions, https://yourcommunitylifechurch.churchcenter.com/giving/to/student-gift-fund-emerge-youth-group.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at Austin Washington's memorial page at www.SouthernHeritageFunerals.com for the Washington family.