Lawrence “Jake” Lee Austin, 90, of Buchanan, passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2017.
Jake was born in Arnold’s Valley on May 10, 1926 to the late Sherman and Vernie Seay Austin. He was a lifelong member of Springwood Baptist Church, served in the US Army during WWII, and retired from Groendyk with nearly 30 years of service. He also loved to hunt and fish and spend time with his family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Alma Henson and Audrey Broughman; nephew, Brian Henson; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ruby and Ralph Smith.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betsy Creamer Austin; daughters and son-in-law, Sonya and Ed Newkirk of Centreville; Edith “Sissy” Austin of Buchanan; sons and daughter-in-law, Terry and Kathy Austin and Clay Austin, all of Buchanan; grandchildren, Catie (Stuart) Brown, Natalie Austin, Ben (Taylor) Austin, Amanda (Edward) Downing, David Newkirk, Christine and Corey Austin, Forest Austin, and Josh and Sarah Bobblett; great-grandchildren, Eli Austin, Jack, Ella, and Adie Brown, Tate and Silas Austin, Birdie, Ruby, Ann Bobblett and Gunter Austin; brother and sister-in-law, Leonard and Ann Austin; nieces, Nyokia Jones Cathy (Jimmy) Perkins, and Beth (Royal) Rodgers; nephews, Jerry (Gloria) Henson, David (Mary) Hill, Greg (Mitzi) Austin, and Sherman Austin; numerous other family and friends. Special thanks to Friendship Manor 2 West for their loving and wonderful care they gave to Jake and the family.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 9 at the Buchanan Chapel of Botetourt Funeral Home with the Rev. Harold Cook officiating. Interment will follow in Springwood Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Buchanan Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 8. Online condolences may be made at www.botetourtfuneralhome.com.