Mr. Bernard N. Austin

Mr. Bernard Nathaniel “Bernie” Austin died peacefully at Obici Hospital on April 4, 2019, in Suffolk, VA, at the age of 69, after a brief illness. Bernard is survived by his wife of 29 years, Sandra Austin; children, Gwensette L. Alston, and Bryan B. Austin; siblings, James W. Austin of Tallahassee, FL, David Austin of Newport News, VA, and Sandra Hogan, M.D., of Georgia; his father-in-law, William D. Capehart of Newport News, VA; two brothers-in-law, David D. Capehart (Cheryl) of Richmond, VA, and Daniel C. Capehart (Anna) of Woodbridge, VA; and special children he cared for: Beverly Childress, Cynthia Palmer, and James Harris. He is preceded in death by his parents: James W. Austin and Alma Banks Austin, and one sister; Pearl Yvonne Ferguson, of Hampton, VA. Bernard was born, the youngest of five children, to James and Alma Austin on February 24, 1950 in Hampton, VA. At an early age he was baptized and became a member of Gray’s Missionary Baptist Church in Hampton, VA. He graduated from Phoenix High School in 1968. After graduating, he obtained his commercial driver’s license and began working as a short distance truck driver for several local hauling companies. In 1986, Bernie began working for the Virginia Department of Transportation as a safety service patroller. It was in this capacity that he met his life’s love, Sandra Ruth Capehart, also a VDOT employee. The couple married on November 25, 1989, at Antioch Baptist Church in Newport News, where Bernie became a member. Bernie was an avid classic car restorer, who prior to passing was restoring his dream car – a 1963 ½ Ford Galaxy XL 500. He was a no-nonsense, vivacious, dedicated family man, who loved to cook. His specialty was baking, and his most requested dessert was an old-fashioned, homemade banana pudding. In addition to his baking skills, Bernie had a green thumb and enjoyed nurturing his plants. If you were in his presence during football season, you would quickly learn that Bernie was a devoted Green Bay Packers fan. Bernard lived his final years in Suffolk, VA, where he relocated to in 2014. After moving to Suffolk, he adopted the Evans family, who lovingly called him “Uncle Bernie”. Bernie was also a beagle lover and will be missed by his puppy, Nate. Bernard lived life to its fullest and leaves a legacy of passion for life, those he loved, and pursuing what he loved.

Mr. Bernard N. Austin

February 24, 1950 - April 4, 2019