Keith De'Andre Austin

Mr. Keith D. Austin, 16, of Charlotte, NC departed this life on Saturday, July 1, 2023. Words from His Mother (Anjonet Austin) . . . Totally amazing . . . At age 3, I knew Keith was somebody special who would affect many people’s lives. He was always running up to me to tell me that he loved me “to the moon and back.” I would reply, “I love you to the sun and back.” In the 8th grade when Keith started helping Coach Norvale with Rugby, I knew he was taking this sport thing by storm. This young man became an unstoppable force in the game of rugby, and all sports for that matter. “Dynamic” were his leadership skills and at the same time, he knew how to follow. He cared about helping other people to develop and become the best version of themselves. Keith was a scholar of many things. No matter where he was or who was around, he was going to be asking questions. Last Friday, June 30th, 2023, Keith had been outside morning, afternoon and evening long teaching himself how to do a back flip. Once he was content with what he had accomplished, he came and grabbed me to show me. I was sleeping when he came into my room and put his forehead to mine and asked, “Madre, are you sleeping?” LOL, I replied, “of course not.” He asked me to come watch him do his back flip. I watched Keith go out to our back yard where he perfectly executed two back flips. I high-fived him and told him he did an amazing job. Keith always tried to do whatever he could to take some pressure off of whatever was going on around us. With his smile that lit up the universe, he transcended the hearts of many. This smile was one of his best attributes and he wore it well, which is what motivated him to envision becoming a dentist. He loved his brother Jaylen Austin so much. I remember when they were younger, they would always end up sleeping right on each other . . . Keith would fall asleep right on Jaylens back. I knew then they would be best buds forever . . . And I’m going to always be his Dori (the blue fish off of “Finding Nemo.”) Keith was preceded in death by his father, Javaris Richards. He leaves lasting and loving memories with his mother, Anjonet Austin; brother, Jaylen Austin; grandmother, Sabrina Clay of Hollywood, AL; grandparents, Rhonda and Oliver Hampton of Charlotte, NC; many other relatives and friends; as well as teammates of the Rugby and Football teams and classmates at South Mecklenburg High School. He was an AWESOME GUY! Funeral Services will be held at, Rudder Funeral Home of Stevenson, Alabama, beginning at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 15, 2023, with Rev. Tommy Clay Jr., officiating. Interment will be at, Old Baptist Cemetery, Hollywood, Alabama. Memories and online condolences may be left for the family at www.rudderfuneralhomes.com

Keith De'Andre Austin

April 27, 2007 - July 1, 2023