Ernest Gilmer Austin, Sr, 59, went to be with his Savior on Friday, July 29, 2016. Gilmer was raised in Kingsport, TN. He attended Ketron High School where his basketball team won the Conference Championship in 1976. He met Diana the next year at the skating rink and three months later, they were married. They raised a family whom he was proud of. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, camping and gardening. Gilmer and his fishing buddy, Johnny Baldwin, entered the local Small Mouth Fishing Tournament every year. Gilmer also road horses on the weekends with his brother-in-law, Doug Lloyd. He loved to go camping every year with his family at Boone Lake on their “island.”
He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Ruth Austin; aunt and uncles, Ernest and Virginia Smith, Emmett and Helen Mays and John and Ruth Austin.
He is survived by his wife, Diana Austin; son, Ernest and wife, Mary Austin, Jr.; daughter, Deborah and fiance, Nathan Gilliam; son, Christopher Gilliam; step grandchildren, Kyle Holston, Caleb Holston and Myisha Holston; sisters, Anna Ruth and husband, Doug Lloyd and Paulette and husband, Jerry Whitley; nephews, Jerry and wife, Christina Whitley Jr. and Joel Lloyd; nieces, Teresa and husband, David Salyer, Susan and husband, Keith McCracken and Tonya and husband, David Easley; cousin, Timothy Mays; mother-in-law, Gladys Mowdy; brother-in-law, Bill Adams III; and three great nephews and one great niece.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 31, 2016 from 5-6pm at Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (1221 Stewball Circle, Kingsport, TN). Funeral service will follow at 6pm in the chapel. Graveside service will be held at Depew’s Chapel Cemetery on Monday, August 1, 2016 at 11am. Those attending are asked to arrive at Trinity Memorial Centers FUneral Home by 10:30am. Pallbearers will be Adam McPeek, Kyle Holston, Keith McCracken, Johnny Fugate, Jerry Whitley, Jr and Ernest Austin, Jr. Honorary pallbearers are Chris Gilliam, Joel Lloyd, Bill Adams III, Mike Daughtery and Nathan Gilliam.
The family would like to thank the Johnson City Medical Center nursing staff on 5518 floor for all they did. They went above and beyond. Also, thanks to Amedisys Hospice staff and his nurse Heather.
Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the family. You may visit trinitymemorialcenters.com if you wish to send a message of condolence or flowers to the family.
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