John Bell Austin, 83, of Madison Heights, VA departed this life on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at his residence.  He was born May 20, 1936 in Bedford, VA to the late Mitchell Austin and Harriet Bell Austin.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his late wife, Laura Maria Austin; a sister, Gladys Whitaker; three brothers, Walter Austin, Sr., Oscar Austin, Sr. and Mack B. Austin.

John was a faithful member of the St. Paul Baptist Church Forest, VA.  He served on the Trustee Board for many years.  He loved his family.  He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by four daughters, Patsy Hill and her husband Clinton, of Patchogue, NY, Laverne Austin, of Long Island, New York, Minister Shelby Austin and Carolyn Turner and a devoted son-in-law, Leroy all of Madison Heights, VA; two sons, John Austin, Jr., of Snellville, GA and Chris Austin, of Madison Heights, VA; four loving grandchildren, Stephen Austin, Codi Hill, both of New York, Ashley Austin, of Madison Heights, VA and Laniyah Turner, of Lynchburg, VA; one sister, Elsie Lee and her husband, Rev. Russell Lee, of Madison Heights; three brothers, Albert Austin and his wife, Dorothy, Rev. Edward Austin and his wife Frances, both of Madison Heights, VA and Carrol Austin and his wife Ernestine, of Amherst, VA; three sisters-in-law, Olethia Quarels and her husband Charlie, of Bedford, VA, Elaine Merritt and her husband Ernest of Odenton, Maryland and Rose Austin, of Forest and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; three devoted friends, Allen Cabell, Sallie Cotton and Lawrence Reid.

A funeral service will be held 11:30 AM Saturday, October 5, 2019 at St. Paul Baptist Church, Forest with Rev. Edward Jones, Sr., officiating and Rev. Harland Brown, pastor, eulogist.  The interment will be at the church cemetery.  Service of comfort rendered by Davis-Turner Funeral Service.