Mr. Michael Ernest Austin, more affectionately known as Mike, age 61 of Sparta, passed away Thursday morning, April 29, 2021 at his residence.

Mike was born June 8, 1959 in Sparta, Tennessee to Maxine Bumbalough Austin and the late Billy "Meatball" Austin. He worked as a machinist in tool & die for Tri-State and was an avid outdoorsman. Mike loved everything there was about fishing and was known as the " Sandwich Brothers" with fishing partner Paul Wilhite. He was a University of Tennessee Vol fan through good times and bad, and cheered on the St. Louis Cardinals as well. Above all, Mike loved his family and was a Papa to many. Mike is preceded in death by his father.

Those left to cherish his memory

Wife: Joyce Ann Poston Austin

Children: Michele Austin, Cody Wilhite & wife Leah, Lea Ann Gore & husband Mark

Grandchildren: Lyza Wilhite, Jake Gore, Benson Wilhite

Mother: Maxine Austin

Sisters: Regina K. Jolly & husband Jeff, Cherri D. Taylor & husband Richard

Nephews: Zach Jolly & wife Heather, Austin Taylor

Funeral services will be conducted 2:00pm Sunday, May 2, 2021 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Old Zion cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:00am-2:00pm Sunday at Hunter Funeral Home. Bobby Cloyd will officiate.

Paul Wilhite, Zach Jolly, Kevin Leatherwood, Richard Taylor, Mark Gore and Freddie Dodson will serve the family as pallbearers. Jake Gore will serve as an honorary pallbearer.