Bobbie Austin, 78 - Greenville

Bobbie Sue Tollison Austin, 78, of Greenville, widow of James “Tony” Austin, passed away from this life into Heaven on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at home after an extended illness.

Born on March 21, 1937, she was the only daughter of the late A.J. and Pauline Galloway Tollison. Bobbie grew up in the Brandon and Poinsett communities of Greenville and was a proud “Golden Tornado” as she was a 1955 graduate of Parker High School. She married the love of her life, Tony Austin, in 1955 when he was a young airman stationed at Donaldson Air Force Base. Tony passed away in 1983.

Bobbie was a former member of Wrenn Memorial Baptist Church in Greenville for 27 years where she served as the Church Secretary, sang in the adult choir, and led the youth choir. She was currently a member of Clearview Baptist Church in Travelers Rest where she was a member of the Mission Minded Sunday School Class and sang in the church choir. She retired from Toyota of Easley after many years of service where she was the Customer Relations Manager. Bobbie’s lasting legacy was faith, love and sacrifice, evidenced by the fact that she dearly loved her Lord, and her family and friends. She had a strong Christian faith, a gracious heart, and a servant attitude towards her family. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, nannie, and great grandmother. Bobbie was also a huge supporter and fan of the Travelers Rest Devildogs and the Clemson Tigers.

She is survived by her daughter, Rhonda Austin of Hendersonville, NC; her son, Keith Austin (Jane) of Travelers Rest; four grandchildren, Lindsay and John Austin, and Cory and Dr. Tony Holtzclaw; three great grandchildren, Noah Austin, and Easton and Knox Holtzclaw; and her loving aunt, Mrs. Eloise Savage who was like a sister to Bobbie.

The visitation will be held Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Northwest, 6710 White Horse Road, Greenville, SC, with the funeral service following at 12:00 p.m. in the Northwest chapel. Burial will be in Greenville Memorial Gardens, 7784 Augusta Road, Piedmont, SC.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mission Minded Sunday School Class, Clearview Baptist Church, 5611 State Park Road, Travelers Rest, SC 29690; The General & Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, 17050 Arnold Drive, Riverside, CA, 92518; or to Open Arms Hospice, 1836 West Georgia Road, Simpsonville, SC 29680.

The family would like to thank Bobbie’s church family, her neighbors, friends, and the entire staff of Open Arms Hospice for their loving care, patience, and devotion for Bobbie during her illness, especially her personal caregivers, Cher Goos, Deborah Martin, Angie Johnson, Jen Baker, Joe Farry, and Dr. Patrick Carey and his entire staff. They would also like to thank the General & Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation for their generous support.

The family is at the home.

Online condolences may be expressed here.

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