Bob Austin Jr.

breath in heaven on April 20, 2020. Bob was born May 12, 1938 in Asheville, NC. He was the

son of S.C. “Bob” Austin and Martha T. Austin and brother of Stuart A. Johnson. He grew up

in Raleigh, attending Broughton High School and later UNC-Chapel Hill. He worked his entire

professional career with A.E. Finley & Associates starting as a secretary and retiring as

president of the company. He also served 2 years active duty in the Navy and retired as a

Commander in the Naval Reserves. During his retirement years he enjoyed volunteering at

Rex Hospital in the surgical waiting room.

In 1961, Bob married the love of his life, Jane Liles. They soon moved to Charlotte and spent

31 years there working and raising their family before moving back to Raleigh.

Those are just the facts about Bob. If you were to ask Bob what the most important thing

about him is, he would say being a follower of Jesus Christ. Bob began following Jesus when

he was 40 years old. He was so excited to learn everything he could about what it meant to

have a relationship with Jesus. He loved studying the Bible, singing hymns, and serving the

church. He served as an elder and Sunday School teacher while attending Calvary Church in

Charlotte, and when he and Jane moved back to Raleigh, they became active members at

Providence Baptist where he also served as a Sunday School teacher and elder.. One of

Bob’s favorite things he did as an elder was hospital visitation and praying with those going

through a hard time.

Bob is dearly loved by his family and all those who knew him. He loved taking care of his

family, taking trips to the beach, having the whole family at home during holidays, and

hearing about what his grandkids were doing. His family would describe him as a humble

servant-leader. A favorite family memory is hearing Bob pray and ending each prayer with,

“and always with thanksgiving.” He leaves a legacy of loving and looking to Jesus and

trusting Him even when life is hard.

Bob was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2017, and he wanted to walk that road with

the same trust in Jesus. Even on a hard day when “Lewy” seemed to be taking over, the

family could sing hymns and he would join in singing, and when he prayed we would hear

the voice of our Dad rather than the voice of “Lewy.” He continued to show the family how to

trust Jesus even as Lewy body and other health issues became bigger.

Bob is predeceased by his parents, S.C. “Bob” Austin, Sr. and Martha T. Austin, his

brother-in-law, Charles E. Johnson, Jr., and his daughter-in-law, Lisa B. Austin.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Jane Liles Austin; his children, Elizabeth (Ron)

Johnson, Martha Jo (Tim) Melton, Bobby (Beth) Austin, Susan (Curt) Blazier; and his sister,

Stuart A. Johnson. Grandchildren who loved their “Pops” dearly: Callie (Drew), Camp, Austin, Anna, Allie,

Abianne, Jalin, Sophie, Lexie, Nicholas, Landon, and great-grandson Atlas, who would have

loved Pops too.

The family would like to say “thank you” to the elders and church family at Providence

Baptist who have been so supportive. Thank you to Transitions Hospice Care and to all of

the caregivers that came at night over the past year from Always Best Care, especially Judy

Ward.

Due to the COVID-19 virus, a private graveside service will be held for the family, with a

celebration of life service to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Bob would have loved any donations to go to Providence Baptist Church, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, or Lewy Body Dementia Association.

Date and Time of the Memorial Service will be posted to this page once determined. If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so below within "add a memory".