Bennie Austin Jr.

A Time To Be Born On December 5, 1958, in Greenwood, MS; Mr. Bennie “Sonny” Austin was born to the union of the late Bennie and Lillian Austin. A Time To Worship Bennie knew and loved the Lord at an early age. He followed the Lord, and he glorified His name. He was a member of The Cross Church under the leadership of Rev. Michael Prince, where he served as a trustee. Bennie knew the power of prayer, and when it was time to pray, he did not want to be disturbed. He prayed for a mind free of worry, a life full of gladness, a body free of illness, and a day full of blessings. A Time To Learn and Labor Bennie attended Leflore County High School in Itta Bena, MS. Bennie worked 31 and a half years at the Ford Motor Company, retiring in 2009. He later went on to be a bus driver for the Epilepsy Center of Northwest Ohio. A Time To Love For 48 years, Bennie was blessed with his loving and devoted wife, Dollie Austin. Upon this union, he and Dollie had a loving family of four children, twelve grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. A Time To Be Remembered Bennie had an anointed spirit that was filled with love, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. He had a spirit with his presence that would light up any room and would do anything for anyone. He believed that falling is an accident, but staying down was a choice. He knew the Lord and was not afraid because he knew that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Bennie enjoyed traveling, spending time with his family. He was a master chef on the grill with his infamous “all off the bone” ribs and BBQ sauce that only he could master. He enjoyed football, grooming his yard, and washing his truck, which he called “The Hog.” He also enjoyed listening to the blues, especially on Saturdays, and watching softball, and he was a cheater in spades. A Time To Rest Bennie went on to be with the Lord on September 28th, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father, Bennie Austin, and mother, Lillian Austin, sister, Martha Ann Hill, brothers, Charlie and Willie Brown, sisters-in-law, Clara Brown and Marie Brown, brother-in-law Willie Howard, grandson Karon, and cousin Eddie Jackson. Bennie leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife, Dollie, four brothers: Robert Brown, Walter (Vera) Brown, Anthony (Patty) Austin, and William (Crystal) Austin, five sisters: Olivia Coleman, Daisy (Ivory) Payne of Itta Bena, MS., Ruth Howard, Lillian Leflore of Itta Bena, MS., and Ola Austin, four children: Greg, Nicholas, Gerald, and Kendra, all of Toledo, Ohio, twelve grandchildren: Mallory, Imani, Gianni, Shyanne, Amia, Kaliyah, Zedy, Giovanni, Orlando, Angelo, Domo, and Jayce, great-granddaughter: Leilani Coleman, Godchildren: Keyshawn, Shirlisa, and London. Special friends: Darnell Stephen, Russell Miller, and Tim Campbell, honorary children, Devin and Tanya Brooks, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will definitely be missed.

Bennie Austin Jr.

December 5, 1958 - September 28, 2025