Bernice S. Austin

Mrs. Austin was born in Buncombe County and was a daughter of the late E.W. and Eliza Page Sluder. She was also preceded in death by her husband, R.G. Austin in 1959, and by a son, Allen L. Austin in 1999. She was retired from Sears and was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.

Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary A. and Jack C. Chason of Canton and Jean A. and Kenneth Smith of Horseshoe; one sister, Vergie Shook of Asheville; a daughter-in-law, Sally M. Austin of Asheville; six grandchildren, David Chason, Derek Chason, Don Chason, Beckie Davis, Ken A. Smith and Stephanie R. Austin; and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Sunday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Ronnie Owen officiating. Burial will be at Sluder Cemetery.

Her family will receive friends from 12:30 - 2:00 pm Sunday at the funeral home and request that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Building Fund, 200 Mt. Carmel Road, Asheville, NC 28806.