Obituary of Edward Austin

EC AUSTIN Edward Heathcliff Austin, 85, died April 5, 2005 at Stewart Health Center of Springmoor Retirement Community, in Raleigh, NC. A graveside service will be held in Elizabeth City, Friday April 8, at 11:00 A. M. at West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. T. R. Miller officiating. A memorial service will be held in the auditorium at Springmoor Retirement Community on Sunday, April 10, at 2:00 P.M. Born on October 31, 1919, Ed grew up in Four Oaks, NC; graduated from Clayton High School; and later attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, and Beta Gamma Sigma. He served in England during World War II with the Armament Division of the 8th Air Force. He founded the CPA firm of Austin, Hedgepeth, Foreman and Spaeth in Elizabeth City, NC. He was a former member of the Kiwanis and Elks clubs, and the Elizabeth City Chamber of Commerce. He formerly served as Director of the College of the Albemarle Foundation, on the Peoples Bank and Trust Board of Managers, and the Board of the First United Methodist Church. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, and a lifetime member of the UNC Alumni Association. Surviving is his wife of 56 years, Audrey Turner Austin; and his two sisters, Sarah Young Austin and Carmen (Nancy) Hogan of Winston-Salem. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carmen Gattis Austin and Joseph Henry Austin; and brothers, Joseph Ekie Austin, Samuel Aubrey Austin, John (Jack) Parker Austin, and Wilber Earl Austin. Ed possessed a fine mind, a quick wit and an unceasing curiosity about the world around him. He loved to travel, seeing all 50 states and all but one continent. He was an avid golfer and reader. People were drawn to him through his kindness and great sense of humor. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC 27605;the Springmoor Endowment Fund, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 or the First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 401, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. You may sign the online guest register at twifordfh.com. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC; and Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC is serving the Austin family.