Ollie Bell Austin

Ollie Bell Ritchie Austin, age 85, or Taylorsville, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2019, in Carolina Caring, Newton following a period of declining health. Born June 10, 1934, to the late Arthur Ray and Floy Bell Benefield Ritchie in Alexander County. Mrs. Austin was retired as a Day Care giver to over 116 children, as well as having been employed by Kiser-Roth and Hollar Hosiery Mills in Hickory. She was preceded in death by her husband of forty-eight years, Rev. Billy Junior Austin as well as one sister, Tressie Ritchie Setzer. Serving as a pastor’s wife she worked tirelessly, into her later years in VBS and Sunday School. She was flawless seamstress and will be long remembered for her apple pies and chicken and dumplings. She was an avid flower and vegetable grower.
She is survived by two sons, Tim Austin, Jeff Austin and special friend Jon Denton all of Taylorsville. One daughter, Penny Austin [Roger] Icenhour of Taylorsville. Seven grandchildren survive, David Sharpe, Dale [Stacey] Sharpe, both of Taylorsville, Dean [Lindsey] Austin, of High Point, Chris [Heather] Austin, Hickory, Venessa Austin, of Morganton, Ethan [Alicia] Icenhour and Page Icenhour, both of Taylorsville. Five great grandchildren also survive.
Ollie is survived by four brothers: Claude, Glenn, Johnny, and Harvey Ritchie, all of Taylorsville, along with three sisters: Betty Bowman and Katherine Davidson, both of Taylorsville, along with Peggy Hollar of Hickory. She has a number of nieces and nephews.
Special friends consist of her “ Faithful Ones”, Sunday school class, with Libby and Floyd Hayes and Vondel Shaw of Mississippi. A heartfelt thank you goes to Carolina Caring Hospice of Newton for their excellent care of Mrs. Austin.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, June 25, 2019 from 6-8:00 p.m. at Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service with funeral services on Wednesday, June 26 2019, at 3:00 p.m. at Antioch Baptist Church in Taylorsville, and burial will follow in the church cemetery. Rev. Mark Morris, Rev. Stuart White, and Rev. Larry Blakely will officiate. The body will lie in state thirty minutes before the funeral hour. Pall bearers will be David and Dale Sharpe, Dean, and Chris Austin, Ethan Icenhour, and Jon Denton.

Memorials may be made to Carolina Caring Hospice, 3975 Robinson Rd. Newton, NC 28658 and St. Jude’s Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, Tn. 38105.


Condolences may be sent to www.alexfuneralservice.com
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service