Rev. Robert Austin, age 82, of Bartow, FL, died Sunday, November 2, 2014 in Bartow, FL. He was the son of the late James Austin and the late Lula Austin of Lake Wales, FL. He was the former Pastor of First Baptist Hilltop Church in Frostproof, Fl.

Robert Austin graduated from Roosevelt High School (Lake Wales, FL) in 1951 and went on to Florida A & M University. He pitched the first "no-hitter" in the history of FAMU Baseball and went on to be drafted and signed by Branch Rickey of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He was employed for 19 years as the Director of Carver Recreation Center. He became a minister in 1986 at Mount Gilboa M.B. Church (Bartow, FL). In 1991, he was called to Pastor, First Baptist Hilltop Church of Frostproof where he led the flock for 21 years.

He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Austin, Jr.; daughter, Wanda Wilson; grandson, Robert Austin, III.

He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 59 years, Josephine R. Austin; sons, Min. James P. Austin (Nancy) of Bartow, FL and Min. Marlon R. Austin (Angie) of Lakeland, FL; daughters, Pamela Burgess (Louis) of Lakeland, FL and Patricia Lloyd Smith of Lake Wales, FL; God son, Captain Chauncey Henry of Frederick, MD.;
son-in-law, Ralph Wilson of Jacksonville, FL; daughter-in-law, Sarah Austin of Fort Lauderdale, FL; sister, Lula B. Jones of Lake Wales, FL; brothers, Rev. Allen Austin (Ethel) of Lake Wales, FL, Dr. Earnest Austin (Anne) of Dale City, VA; Lawrence Austin (Doris) of Baltimore, MD; brother-in-law, Clarence Rollerson of Englewood, CA; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and a very loving church family.

Arrangements are being handled by Gause Funeral Home, 625 S. Holland
Parkway, Bartow, FL. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, November 6, 2014 at First Baptist Hilltop Church, Frostproof, Fl and from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, November 7, 2014 at Mt. Gilboa Missionary Baptist Church,1205 Martin Luther King Street, Bartow, FL.

Funeral service will be at First Assembly of God, 915 Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 8, 2014.

Interment will be at Wildwood Cemetery, Bartow, FL.