Obituary of James Herman Austin

James Herman Austin, a son of the late Henry Austin and Eloise Jones Austin, was born in Cumberland County, Virginia on December 10, 1944. He was the middle child of three brought forth by this union. Herman accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of New Hope Baptist Church with his family. He attended Luther P. Jackson Elementary and High School, graduating with the class of 1961. After graduation, Herman moved to New York where he was joined in wedlock to Ida Clarke. From this union a son, James Elroy Austin, was born. Herman also has two daughters, Lynnenia Burton of North Carolina and Lauren Bass of Boston, Massachusetts. Herman was employed with General Motors for ten years. Not one for taking orders, Herman left General Motors to become the master of his own universe and he WAS. He began his journey into long lasting businesses such as bars, buses, apartment buildings, etc. Herman was a lovable, kind-hearted person with a smile that could light up the darkest room and the deepest, richest laugh that could be heard and felt in your soul. Herman showed this every day with his family and friends. Herman enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and also vintage cars. He had a great following of family and friends that loved to do these things with him, but his greatest happiness was hunting. Every open season he travelled to Virginia to bag that perfect buck. Herman returned home to Cumberland, Virginia to retire but, ever being the business man, he started up a laundry mat and transporting cars. So, his retirement was short lived. He worked up until he could no longer work. On Sunday, October 8, 2017, Herman departed this life in Richmond, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Kenneth Roger Austin. He leaves to cherish his memory his children, James Elroy Austin, Lynnenia Burton of North Carolina, and Lauren Bass of Boston, Massachusetts; a sister, Barbara Jean Austin of White Plains, New York; two aunts, Jean Gilliam (Henry) of Cartersville, Virginia and Luvenia Jones of Riverhead, New York; two nieces, two great-nephews, two great-great nieces, and a host of cousins and friends.