Rillie O'Neal Austin

Rillie O'Neal Austin, age 87, a McMinnville, TN resident and White County, TN native was born May 3, 1929 and died February 17, 2017 in NHC Healthcare of Sparta following an extended illness. He was a route driver for ARA Vending and Food Services, a United States Air Force veteran of Korea, member of the Church of God of Prophecy and son of the late Dillard Hayes and Mary Bounds Austin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by first wife, Grace White Austin in 1995; second wife, Mary Jo Keener Austin in 2016; two step-sons, Mike Keener and Steve Keener; and siblings, Lester Austin, Gladys Ball, James Edward Austin, Jessie May Harris, Perry Austin, Arrie Tolbert, Kenneth Austin, Mattie Anderson and Eunice Parnell. Mr. Austin is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, Mark S. and Karen Austin of Smyrna, TN, Michael W. and Barbara Austin of McMinnville, Thomas E. and Michele Austin of Indian Rocks Beach, FL and James H. and Annette Austin of Sparta, TN; daughter and son-in-law, Leah E. and Randy Seals of Troutman, NC; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ethel Sasta of Michigan and Mabel Ann Hames of Cleveland, TN; four step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, February 23, 2017 in High's Chapel with Michael Harris to officiate. Military rites will be conducted by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Family will meet with friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at High's. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's of Tennessee.