Mr. Austin Peay Stubblefield's Obituary
Austin Peay Stubblefield of Sevierville, Tennessee, passed
away on April 3, 2022 at home, surrounded by family. Austin
was born September 27, 1926 in Sinking Cove, near Sherwood,
Tennessee (Franklin County). He graduated from Stevenson
High School in Stevenson, Alabama. He served in the U.S.
Army during World War II and then attended the University of
Tennessee, graduating in 1951. While attending the University,
Austin served as president of the Independent Students
Organization, was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa honorary
leadership fraternity, the National Society of Scabbard and
Blade, the Scarabbean Senior Society, and was named to Who's
Who. He served as a platoon leader in the First Cavalry
Division in Korea during the Korean War and, at the end of his
service, held the rank of Captain of Infantry. In 1953, Austin
began a 38-year career with Cherokee Textile Mills, initially in
Knoxville and then in Sevierville, serving in various capacities
from laboratory technician to plant manager before retiring at
the end of 1991. Austin met his wife, the former Ann Robinson,
at the Laurel Church of Christ while she was a student at
University of Tennessee and they were married in Knoxville on June 4, 1956, making their home
in Sevierville for more than 65 years.
Through the years Austin was involved in numerous civic and charitable activities, including PTA
(awarded a lifetime membership), director of the East Tennessee Heart Association, Boy Scouts
of America, Alzheimer's Association, and the Sevierville Rotary Club (which he served as
President). In 1970, he was named "Outstanding Citizen of Sevier County" by the Sevierville
Lions Club. He served as an Elder of the Sevierville Church of Christ for several years and more
recently attended the Laurel Church of Christ in Knoxville.
Austin was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie Stubblefield, Sr. and Nellie Burks
Stubblefield, by his brother, Charlie Stubblefield, Jr., and by his sister, Ruby Garner. Austin is
survived by his wife, Ann; sons Neal (Jo Anne) and Brian (Farhana) and daughter, Sarah;
grandchildren Erin Lanier, Kent Stubblefield, Andrea Mercer and Zoe Brown; 3 great
granddaughters; and sisters Pauline Hawes, Evelyn Morris, and Parie Lee Whitely.
The family is also deeply indebted for the compassionate care provided by CARIS Healthcare,
Cornerstone Caregiving, and Vivian Pate, all of whom made the burden of support much lighter.
The family will receive friends at Atchley Funeral Home in Sevierville from 10:00 a.m. to noon
on Saturday, April 16, 2022, with a memorial service beginning at noon. Interment will be in the
Cumberland Cemetery near Stevenson, Alabama on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, following a
visitation at Rudder Funeral Home, Stevenson Chapel, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions may be made to the Christian Student Center at the University of Tennessee, 1821
Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee 37916 (https://cscutk.org/donate), or to the "JustLead"
ministry of the Laurel Church of Christ, 3457 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
(https://www.laurelcc.org/justlead).
What’s your fondest memory of Austin?
What’s a lesson you learned from Austin?
Share a story where Austin's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Austin you’ll never forget.
How did Austin make you smile?