Obituary of Deacon Hermon Austin

Deacon Hermon Austin left his earthly home to be with the lord on February 7, 2019, after a long battle with illness.  HERMON was born on, May 25, 1937, to the late Banks and Queen Austin in Buckingham County, Virginia; he was the third oldest of eight children. Three siblings preceded him in death, Martha George and Franklin.

Hermon attended the Buckingham County Public Schools. In 1956, he graduated from Carter G. Woodson High School. After graduation, Hermon ventured to East Orange, NJ. In 1976, he relocated to West Orange, NJ.

In 1961, Hermon met the love of his life, Gladys M. Carter. On June 6, 1964, they were united in holy matrimony, taking their vows “through sickness and health, till death do us apart”.

Herman confessed Christ at an early age and was baptized at the First Liberty Baptist Church in Dillwyn, Virginia. Hermon was a member of Peaceful Zion Baptist Church in East Orange, NJ from 1956 until 2006. During his membership, he served on the Usher Ministry, Trustee Ministry and Superintendent of Sunday school; he also was a Chairman of the Deacon’s Ministry for over 12 years. In 2006, the Lord directed him to move his membership to the Messiah Baptist Church. After joining Messiah, Hermon continued to do work that the Lord had called him to do, up until his health began to fail. He served on the Deacon’s Ministry and assisted with the new membership class and liaison for the Usher Ministry. Hermon was member of the National Deacon Association for many years.

Hermon was employed as a Laundry Supervisor for Hotel Suburban in East Orange, NJ, from 1956 until 1961. In 1961, Hermon was drafted into the United States Army; he was honorable discharged in 1963. After serving his country, he was employed at Public Services Electric and Gas Company, from 1963 until he retired in 1998. During his employment at PSE&G, Hermon exceled and was promoted several times. (Meter Reader, Bookkeeper, Collection and eventually retired as a Lead Service Representative)

Hermon loved spending time his siblings, although they lived miles apart, they would spend hours on the phone talking and laughing. Hermon loved to be around people of all ages. He spent a lot of time with trouble young men, teaching them how to be respectable young men. He also taught them that God accepts you as you are and he changes you as you serve Him in love. Most of all, he loved reading and studying God’s word. He would always say “the Lord don’t hold me responsible for how you treat me, but He does hold me responsible for how I treat you”. Hermon had strong faith in the Lord. His faith was exemplified during long illness, he never complained, he would only say “Lord have mercy”.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his devoted wife of 54 years, Gladys M. Austin; two brothers, John Austin of Chesterfield, VA and William Austin of Nokesville, VA; two sisters, Mary Johnson of Dillwyn, VA and Julia Austin of Baltimore, MD; one brother-in-law, John Jones of Union, NJ; six sisters-in-law, Elouise Austin of Chesterfield, VA, Dorothy Austin of Nokesville, VA, Laura Austin of Baltimore, MD, Annie Dungee of Orange, NJ, Marie Jones of Union, NJ, and Helen Crockett of Richmond, VA; along with a host of nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces, great-great nephews and nieces, cousins and friends.

Lovingly submitted,

The Family