Melvin Austin's Obituary
Melvin Austin, born December 29, 1952, was the fourth child of Earnestine Smith Austin and Robert Austin. At the age of nine months, Melvin acquired meningitis and suffered a loss of his hearing. He attended Mississippi School for the Deaf on Capers Avenue, in Jackson, where he learned American Sign languare, life skills, and played with the deaf basketball team.
Melvin's mom was adamant that he would have the same oppotunities that his hearing siblings would have. Unfortunately, he did have a learning didability that rendered him unable to attend college. In reference to his education, Mrs. Austin was remembered telling his sister Ozella that their paternal grandmother did not want Melvin to go to school because she worried he could get hurt. However, Mrs. Austin told her that Melvin was going to school to learn to read and write so that if he came upon a cliff with a warning sign, he would be able to read and not fall off. Melvin also learned to drive; and with help of his eldest sibling, he always had transportation.
Melvin was a gregarious person who loved Jesus, life, family, and friends. On October 20, 1996, he was baptized as a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness. He was well traveled (New York, Texas, Atlanta, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Florida). Having worked several jobs across the years, Melvin retired in 1987 due to arthritis that caused pain and stiffness in his joints.
Melvin leaves memories to his siblings, Otis (Mercedes), Bobbie Jean, Christine, Ozella, Earl (Sheri), Rex (Regina); three nieces, Sherrie, Tracee (Tony), and Alexis; nephews, Greg, Kenneth (Brianna), Marcus, and Maurice (Kimberly); great nieces, Baleigh, Grace, and Hope; great nephews, Dequan, Tre'Schon (Cierra), Javon, Abram, and Bryson. He is preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Jerome.
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