Elder Sherman Austin

Sherman Austin was born February 9, 1921 in Celeste Alabama to Maggie and Thomas. Celeste is a
small town near Chuncula and Mobile Alabama. As a small boy, he loved to play among the trees and
small critters. On the darkest of nights, he and his brothers and cousins would play a special game
called “fire ball”, in which they set a kerosene-soaked ball of rags on fire and tossed it one to another.
He says, “it was the most beautiful sight at night!”

Sherman had two favorite pets: a three-legged dog named Mistie, who followed him everywhere, and
an ox named Tom who he would ride through the woods. As a young boy he became a building
carpenter by making “pie safes” for the ladies of the town. In school, his favorite studies were math and
spelling.

Elder Austin was inducted into the United States Army and served as a truck driver in the 469th
Quartermaster Regiment. He took great pride in that! On February 9, 1944, he was honorably
discharged and in 1945 he started a new life in Detroit, Michigan. (He was really on his way to New York
City and a sister that was living here at the time convinced him to stay). His life’s passion was home
remodeling and carpentry and he was very successful. Elder Austin was employed with the City of
Detroit from 1966 until he retired in 1983. He was also self-employed owner of a neighborhood grocery
store on the east side of Detroit for a number of years.

Elder Austin came to the Lord in 1954 under the pastorate of Elder Williams Outlaw of Gospel
Tabernacle COGIC, whom he considered a father and loved very much. Years later he became a
member of God’s Holy Tabernacle under Elder Zeddie Crawford and was an Assistant Pastor for some
time. He came to Lockett Memorial (known today as Joshua Temple COGIC) over 20 years ago under the
leadership of Elder Willie Joshua. He remained a faithful member under Pastor David L. Fielder. Elder
Austin says, “I have never had a young pastor before, but I KNOW God is with him. I love him and his
family, therefore I will be faithful!

Elder Austin is survived by his wife Missionary Valerie Lou Austin, two brothers – Daniel Austin and
George Bolden of Mobile Alabama, two sisters Maggie Mae Robinson of Brooklyn, NY and Willie Virginia
Gwin of Mobile Alabama. Six children – Sherry Austin, Sherman A. Austin, Valarie Austin, Chevelle
Austin, Tachet Austin, Shermeka (Marcus) Stewart. Four step-children - Sonya Douglas, Omar (Juanita)
King, Amina Prescott, Marsha King. Twenty-seven grandchildren – Bridgette, Anthony, Jaji, James, Javell,
Jovon, India, Italy, Shatoya (Solo) Richards, Charise, Natisha, Sherman Jr., Destine, MeShae, Kimberly,
Derrick, Charvell, Marquan, PJ, Brooke, Evan, Derrick, Elijah, Zoe, Mya and Omareon. Twenty-Nine greatgrandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. And a host of nephews, nieces, family and friends.