Obituary of Pastor Lawrence Edward "Ed" Austin

On Friday, July 13, 2018, Lawrence Edward (Ed) Austin, age 61, passed from this world into his heavenly home after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Bluefield, WV in October of 1956 to Dorothy Wimmer Austin and Rages Austin, Ed is survived by his beloved wife Joyce Boggs Austin, his parents Dorothy and Rages, his sister Barbara Austin Deem (John), sister in law LaDonna Maness Austin, nieces Kimberly Austin Chapman and Ashley Deem Merritt (Sean), nephews Russell Austin (Crystal) and Tyler Deem. He also leaves several great nieces and nephews whom he loved very much. He is predeceased by his older brother Randall Austin and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
As a young school aged boy Ed spent many years living in Williamson, WV where he excelled in sports and had countless friends. It was here that he began his professional work career in the mining field working with machine recovery. In 1977 he relocated to Lawrence county, KY to continue a successful career with the mining industry with the Martiki Coal Company. He mastered all challenges of the business and was a professional and personal mentor to many coworkers. 
Upon the closure of the mine Ed returned to school and earned a degree in business. He changed professional directions and held several administrative positions with various medical facilities in the tri-state area. 
Ed later earned his degree in Bible/Theology from Tri-State Bible College. He fulfilled his calling to go into ministry and was an Associate Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Louisa and the Senior Pastor of Unity Baptist Church in Blaine. Ed's greatest desire was that everyone accept the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ. He ministered to people from the pulpit, through his many counseling sessions, and through his example of how to live a grateful servant's life. Ed was always ready to meet the needs and desires of others above his own in a truly selfless manner. He was born with a servants' heart and he lived his life for the glory of his blessed Lord. It was in teaching and sharing the gospel that he found his most fulfilled and satisfying work. 
Throughout his life Ed participated in civic work as a member of the Scottish Rite, as the Grand Master of the Apperson 195 Masonic Lodge, served as a Kentucky Colonel and was active with the Gideon International Group. He was also employed by the Lawrence County Schools as a bus driver. He enjoyed being around kids of all ages and loved seeing "his kids" learning and succeeding in school and in life.
A servant heart, a joyful spirit, a protector, a mentor, a teacher, a coach, an encourager, a true Man of God who always believed that it was his honor to give "My Utmost For His Highest."
Services for Ed Austin are as follows: Visitation will be Monday, July 16 from 6-9 p.m. at Wilson's Funeral Home; Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Louisa on Tuesday, July 17 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Chuck Price officiating. Immediately following services burial will take place at the Greenlawn Cemetary in Louisa. 
In lieu of flowers you may consider donations to the Gideon International, Lawrence County Camp, P.O. Box 355, Louisa, KY 41230.