Demery Mack Austin, 79, of Buies Creek died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill following a period of declining health. He was born in Smith Co., Mississippi, son of the late Daniel McKeice Austin and Lilla Rhodes Austin. He was also preceded in death by brothers Elbert Ray Austin and Hulon Cade Austin.

Demery served 27 years in the US Army, retiring in 1980 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. He then spent a total of 10 years working as a Properties Manager in Saudi Arabia on a contract between the US Government and the Saudi Arabian National Guard.

Demery was an active member of Buies Creek First Baptist Church. He was a past Chairman of the Board of Deacons as well as the Properties Committee and Cemetery Committee among others. He was also a past President of the Harnett County Shrine Club and the Buies Creek Lions Club, as well as a member of the Military Officers Association and the Warrant Officers Association.

A celebration of Demery's life will be held 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at Buies Creek First Baptist Church with Dr. Michael Simmons officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeside Memorial Gardens with full military honors. The family will receive friends at O'Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home Tuesday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM.

Demery is survived by his wife, Frances Gregory Austin, his son Ronnie Austin and wife Jodi of Ormond Beach, FL; his daughter Diane Austin of Fayetteville; his stepdaughters, Sherrie VanderVeen of Clarkston, MI and Kim Howard of Buies Creek; his grandchildren Aaron Austin, Kansas Austin, Katie VanderVeen, Davis VanderVeen, Kelsey Howard and Granddog Beaches. He is also survived by Katie and Davis' father Dr. Scott VanderVeen.

In lieu of flowers memorials to Buies Creek First Baptist Church, Debt Retirement Fund, PO Box 160, Buies Creek, NC 27506.

A celebration of Demery's life will be held 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at Buies Creek First Baptist Church with Dr. Michael Simmons officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeside Memorial Gardens with full military honors. The family will receive friends at O'Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home Tuesday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM.