WILMINGTON — Owings Francis Austin, 82, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019, after suffering a sudden hemorrhagic stroke.
Owings was born Feb. 16, 1937, in Union, South Carolina. He was an identical twin. He grew up in Union, South Carolina, and graduated from Spartanburg Junior College and Newberry College. After college, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he spent six years, two years active and four years in reserve. After getting out of the service, he married his wife Brenda and was in the finance business for 40 years in the Atlanta area. After retiring, he and his wife Brenda moved to Wilmington, where he started his favorite job of volunteering and mentoring men at Port City Community Church.
Owings leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Brenda Austin; three daughters, Amy, and her husband, Barry Lloyd, of McDonough, Georgia, Cindy, and her husband, Chris Kuhne, of Wilmington and Julie, and her husband, Mike Ashcraft, of Wilmington; eight grandchildren, Madison Ashcraft Goslee (23), and her husband, Carson, Megan Lloyd (23), Mackenzie Kuhne (23), Caleb Kuhne (21), Mallory Lloyd (20), Michaela Ashcraft (18), Macy Lloyd (17) and Annie Grace Kuhne (10).
He was preceded in death by his dad, Oliver Leon Austin; mother, Julia Austin Trammell; stepfather, Charlie Trammell; and twin brother Oliver Austin, all of Union, South Carolina.
Visitation will be offered from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 30, at the Atrium at Port City Community Church, 250 Vision Drive, Wilmington. A service celebrating his life and legacy will be held at noon, Saturday, Aug. 31, at Port City Community Church, where he worshiped and volunteered faithfully. In honor of him, please bring your Bible with you. He always had his Bible in his hand. There will be no graveside ceremony or burial.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Port City Community Church in support of the ministry that he loved so much. Please note on memo line, in honor of Owings Austin-Refuge.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
