Ralph Stephen "Steve" Austin

Dr. Ralph Stephen "Steve" Austin, MD, 65, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at his home following a courageous 5 year battle with breast cancer. Born in Corinth, Mississippi, Dr. Austin grew up in Memphis and was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He earned Bachelor and Doctor of Medicine degrees from the University of Tennessee and began a career in psychiatry. Dr. Austin practiced in Jonesboro from 1988-1992 and moved to Savannah, Tennessee, where he practiced until 2000. He practiced in Mountain Home from 2000-2006 before moving to Jonesboro and joining the medical staff at Families, Inc. where he practiced until he became disabled. Dr. Austin was a past vice president of the Savannah Rotary Club and was preceded in death by his parents: Ralph C. and Erie Gennette Baldwin Austin; and father-in-law and mother-in-law: Sims and JoAnne Dailey. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Dailey Austin of the home; three sons: Ian Austin (Mandy) and Bradley Austin of Memphis and Jacob Austin (Ashton) of Jonesboro; two daughters: Samantha Blackwood of Jonesboro and Zoe Jane Blackwood of the home; one sister, Susan Neill (Jeff) of Savannah, Tennessee; four grandchildren: Maddy Austin, Abby Austin, Emma Austin and Reagon Austin; one sister-in-law: Missy Childers (Nelson) of Jonesboro; two brothers-in-law: Mike Dailey (Natalie) of Batesville, and Dave Dailey (Natalie Lambrecht) of Ash Flat; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Dr. Darrell Ragland, Mark Thurman and Kendall Camp presiding. A graveside committal service will be held Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. at Lebanon Cemetery near McRae in White County with Bobby Burrow presiding. Active pallbearers include: Dr. Darrell Ragland, Dr. Bill Coutts, Dave Dailey, Scott Trout, Nelson Childers, Gary Baldwin, Kendall Camp and Mark Thurmond. Honorary pallbearers include employees and staff of Families, Inc., and Dr. Ron Blachly and staff of NEA Baptist Clinic Oncology. Visitation will be held Friday from 5-7 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home. For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the American Cancer Society, Craighead County Unit, 1900 Broadmoor, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401, or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105. Online registry at www.emersonfunerahome.com.