Alfred Joseph "Joey" Austin III, 62, of Paragould, passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2023. He was born October 11, 1961, to Alfred and Darlene Austin. Joey loved spending time with his family and enjoyed being an auctioneer.  He attended Arkansas State University and was the Outstanding Student in Agriculture Education in 1985. He had a heart for the underdog and always wanted to see everyone succeed. Joey loved everything about agriculture, had a heart for teaching, and loved his students.

Joey was preceded in death by his mother, Darlene Urbanek; paternal grandparents, Alfred Sr., and Dorothy Austin; maternal grandparents, Glen Thompson, Al and Maxine Mitchell; and granddaughter, Josie Austin.

Survivors include his father, Alfred Austin, Jr. and step-mother, Jessica Austin; sons, A. J. Austin (Tabatha), Tyler Austin; fiancé, Sherma Dicus; sisters, Selena Young (Michael), Kerry Russell, and LeShan Urbanek; step-brother, Justin Nolan; grandchildren, Cash Austin, Barrett Austin, Atticus Davis; and great-grandchild, Jaiden Davis.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 14, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home. The funeral service will be on Friday, December 15, at 10:00 a.m. at Phillips Funeral Home with Art Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Greene County Memorial Gardens.