Ronnie Jean Austin

Ronnie Jean Austin, 71, of New Llano, LA passed away Sunday, August 22, 2021 in Leesville, LA.  Visitation will be Thursday, August 26 from 6-9pm at Chaddick Funeral Home.  Funeral service will be Friday, August 27 at 11am at Chaddick Funeral Home.  Interment will be at Whitaker Cemetery.  Rev. Bruce Austin, Jr. and Rev. Dalton Isbell will officiate. He was born to James & Elsie Austin on January 2, 1950 in DeRidder, LA.  He moved into the Ray Charles Smith Community Home on May 1st, 1992, when it was part of the Louisiana State School.  Once the State School closed on May 31st, 2010, Ronnie became part of the Evergreen Life Services family. Ronnie loved spending time with his housemates and had a special love/hate relationship with former housemate Harold Pollard.  Ronnie had a close relationship with his staff and gave each a name that only he called them. He loved going on home visits with his brother and spending time with his family.  His favorite things to do on his home visits were to eat turkey and visit with close friends and family members, as well as drinking coffee that was plentiful on his visits. More than anything Ronnie loved food.  He would ask what’s for lunch and dinner while sitting at the table eating breakfast.  He also loved “black coke” not to be confused with “white coke” or “Pepsi coke.”  He liked to spend his days sitting on the back porch and bird watching.  He liked to go for rides in the van, the destination did not matter.  He loved going to the rodeo and all things cowboy.  When he could not sit out and bird watch he liked to pass his time watching “cowboy pictures” like Gunsmoke and Bonanza.  He also liked to wear his cowboy hat while he played his guitar. Ronnie will be greatly missed by the staff and clients at the Ray Charles Smith Community Home.  His family would like to thank Evergreen for all that they have done for Ronnie over the years and for caring for him as they do.  “He liked to come to the house to visit, but he was always ready to go back to his home.” Ronnie is survived by one sister, Jennie Austin Norris of Sugartown, LA; one brother, Bruce Austin, Sr. & Dannette of Pitkin, LA; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, James “Ed” & Elsie Austin; and his sister, Frances Thomas. Condolences can be made at chaddickfuneralhome.com