Hurley Lee Austin

Obituary For Hurley Lee Austin

Mr. Hurley Lee Austin, 81, of Columbus, GA passed Thursday, August 24, 2023 in Columbus, GA.

Funeral service will be held 11:30 a.m. EST, Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Philippians Church of God in Christ in Columbus, GA with Elder Ronnie Duckworth, pastor, officiating. Interment to follow in Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday, August 30, 2023 from 1-5 p.m. EST.

Hurley "Huey" Lee Austin, the only son of the late Naomi Wright Austin and the late Linton White, was born in Eufaula, Alabama on July 23, 1942. Huey was reared by his mother and Malachi Austin, as their own and he carried his name.

While in high school, he played the tuba in the marching band and learned to read music. He later became the youngest member of the Dothan Sextet who gain their fame from being the opening act for the legendary Otis Redding. He later joined Jr. Walker and the All Stars but had to leave the national stage when he was drafted in the United States Army in 1967 and served his country honorably until he was furloughed from Korea to the Army Reserved until 1973 due to his mother's illness.

Huey continued his music career as the band leader for Peggy Scott and JoJo Benson and their opening act, Cathy Love. He also played his bass guitar for Beverly Hammonds, Clarence Carter, Tyrone Davis, Tom Rivers Band and his own band, "The Challengers."

After becoming a committed family man, Huey decided to give up his musical career and went to Columbus Vocational Technical School successfully completed their Radio and Television Technician curriculum earning his diploma in 1972. He worked for McDuffie Appliance as a technician and service manager until they went out of business after 5 years.

Huey was multi-talented and dedicated to anything he committed himself to doing. He helped his dad paint Jim Walter homes after school at an early age, so he later decided to take that on and started working at Stephens Paint Company. He worked there for a few years before opening his own business. Austin Painting and Contracting which was a successful business for over 30 years. After retiring he spent his time following his mom's footsteps in gardening and it became a passion of his. He was able to bless multiple people off his very own harvest.

He began his Christian walk in Columbus with Walker Temple Church of God in Christ in 1979. Long before his book of life ended, Huey gained a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. He received his license in Ministry in 1993.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Emma Deville and brother, Lee White.

Survivors include three daughters: Lisa (Derrick) Austin-Dawson of Columbus, Georgia; Kia Young of San Antonio, Texas and Laura Ann Walker of Dothan, Alabama; three sisters: Mildred (Wayne) Calhoun of Jacksonville, Florida; Dorothy Peterson of Eufaula, Alabama and Annie Palmer of Clayton Alabama; two brothers: Linton White and Elder Samuel (Faye) Paige both of Eufaula, Alabama; four grandchildren: Kiyoko Austin, Kylani Austin, Shawnee (Antonio) Brackins and Derick Miller; four great grandchildren Tra'miah, Caleb, Anthony and Ma'Leigha; a special friend, Glendis Jackson, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.