Austin, Charles Lee

Charles Lee Austin, 88, of Caudill St. in Pearisburg, departed this life Tuesday afternoon, May 1, 2007 at his home in the loving care of his family.

Born in Giles County on August 28, 1918, he was a son of the late Charles William and Nannie Mae Hasket Austin.

He was retired from Celanese Plant at Narrows, L&M Tannery at Bluff City and Lynchburg Foundry in Radford, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army in World War II serving in Japan where he was wounded in the face. He had helped support his parents and siblings before he left for the war.

Lee was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, New River Ward in Pembroke and attended Bethel Chapel Church in Clendennin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, George C. Austin; sisters, Betty Rice, Ethel Snider, Mary Green and Jo Ann Riddle; brothers, Frank Austin, Jessie Austin.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 66 years, Thelma Rice Austin whom he met at the church in Clendennin; a son, Jerry and wife Doris Austin of Pearisburg; daughters, Linda A. Hubbard and husband Pleg of Montcalm, W.Va. and Violet A. Epling and Donald of Pearisburg; brothers, Bobby Austin and wife Mary Jane of Dublin and Billy and wife Nancy Austin of Roanoke; 24 grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and greatgreat-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 11 a.m. in The Kendall Funeral Home Chapel at 605 Snidow St. in Pembroke. Burial will follow in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg with military graveside rites by the VFW and American Legion Posts of Giles County. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.kendallfuneralhome.com.