Obituary
Guest Book
1930
2013
Mary Elizabeth Russell Abernathy, 82, of Mt. Holly, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at Gaston Memorial Hospital. She was born in North Wilkesboro and was the daughter of the late Jefferson Claude and Sarah Geneva Jenkins Russell. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Lloyd G. Abernathy.
Mrs. Abernathy was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. The family would like to express their thanks to Amy and Jim Dyer, April Lynch, Roger Clemons, Becky Capps, Edwina Capps for the love and care given to Mrs. Abernathy during her illness.
Mrs. Abernathy is survived by four daughters, Cindy Clemmer (Paul), Teresa Ramsey (Ervin), Brenda Rushing (Kenneth) of Mt. Holly, Lisa Abernathy (Dale McFadden) of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina; one son, Dale Abernathy (Sharon) of Dallas; one sister, Diane Hitch and husband Lynn of Maryville, Tennessee; three brothers, Tommy Russell (Martha) of Mt. Holly, Keith Russell of Charlotte, Jerry Russell of Lowell; twelve grandchildren, Jennifer Carpenter (Brian), Jeremy Kennedy (Nicole), Chris Rushing (Beverly), Suzanne Hutchins (Ron), Joe Clemmer (Jessica), Nic Rushing (Cherryl), Stephanie Rushing, Haley Abernathy, Brett Rushing (Melissa), Cameron Rushing (Chelsea), Tommy Russell, Jr. (Norma), Jeff Russell (Yvonne); seven great grandchildren, Hunter Kennedy, Garrison Carpenter, Gavin Carpenter, Kamden Rushing, Karis Rushing, Madison Rushing, Ava Rushing.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, 3717 Hickory Grove Road, Gastonia, North Carolina 28056 with the funeral service to follow at 4:00 p.m. Saturday with Dr. Tom Kinman officiating.
Interment will follow in Hickory Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Joe Clemmer, Jeremy Kennedy, Chris Rushing, Nic Rushing, Ron Hutchins, Brian Carpenter.
Mrs. Abernathy was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 50 years, Lloyd G. Abernathy; three sisters, Margaret Clark, Louise Cathey, Viola Keller; one brother, James Russell.
Memorials may be made to: Family Life Center, c/o Hickory Grove Baptist Church, 3717 Hickory Grove Road, Gastonia, North Carolina 28056.
Online condolences may be made at www.carothersfuneralhomestanley.com
Carothers Funeral Home, Stanley is serving the Abernathy family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
March 15, 2021
Family
TERESA Johnson
i MISS MY AUNT MARY SO BAD SHE WAS MY SECOND MOM I WOULD ALWAYS GO TO HER HOUSE AND SIT FOR HOURS JUST TALKING SHE WAS THE SWEETEST LADY AND ALL OF HER CHILDREN WERE SO GOOD TO ME SHE LIVED NEXT DOOR SHE WOULD COME OVER AND PLAY CARDS WITH MY MOM AND ME THEY WOULD GO SHOPPING AND OUT OF TOWN I MISS HERE SO MUCH.
March 15, 2019
Beth Russell
Thinking of all of you. Love and prayers. Bob and Beth Russell
December 19, 2017
Mark Everson
March 26, 2013
Connie Sexton Eldridge
Lisa,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest sympathy.
March 26, 2013
Bronwyn Long
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you. Mary was an angel here on earth too. She was such a sweet lady. She was so loving and caring. I was very blessed to have known her.
March 25, 2013
Roger Clemons
March 25, 2013
Jennifer luttrell
Dear Jeremy & family, my deepest sympathy goes out to your family. The few festive occasions we were all together for Thanksgiving and Christmas were always special and fun. It was especially nice to see sweet Mary:-) May she smile down on us all from heaven. XOXO.
March 24, 2013
Dianne & Jerry Brock
We were so sorry to hear about Mary. What wonderful memories we treasure of being apart of your family. We are so blessed to have had Mary and Lloyd as role models. We love all of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy.
March 23, 2013
Roger Clemons
Words will not be able to express how much I will miss Mary. She will always have a place in my heart. I know she is better now but I still wish I could see her. My days will be so different now since I can't personally go see her. I will rest at ease now knowing she is mush better. I love you Mary and you will always be on my mind.
March 23, 2013
Beth Pryor
As the flame shines, so did Mrs."A". A little lady with such a hugh heart who had a full family, but would take in others and treat them as her own. I was fortunate enough to be one of her adoptees. Day and night she climbed the bleachers to cheer on "her softball girls" year after year; our Fan! Not realizing then, but knowing it know, her life showed that she "loved the Lord with her heart and soul and mind, and she loved her neighbor as herself". Daily Mrs."A" fulfilled God's Greatest Commandments. Her Legacy is being lived on through her children and grandchildren who know and understand. Thanks, Mrs."A" for showing me love.
March 23, 2013
Lisa Hager
Your Mother/Grandmother was such a sweet and lovely lady and I enjoyed the moments I was blessed to share with her and will be remembered always.
Our love and prayers are with you during this time and may God ease your hearts and lift you up.
Lisa & Savanna Hager
March 23, 2013
Ann Abernathy
Aunt Mary and Aunt Frances were transportation for my mother Sally who did not drive. Aunt Mary did so much for my mother. She was a very giving person. Now they are together again.
March 23, 2013
Kim Sopko
Lisa, I am so sorry for you and your families loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I loved your mom and enjoyed the time I got to spend with her. She will be truly missed.
March 23, 2013
Julia McGill
Bless her heart even in illness she was a beautiful and funny lady. I took great joy in taking care of her. She will always be a favorite of mine. Bless the family that has to endure her leaving this world. Thankfully she is with the Lord and her husband now!
March 22, 2013
Ann Abernathy
March 22, 2013
I will miss Aunt Mary so much you she was my second mom I will always remember her and how she loved for me to bring my children to see her. I will always remember when my mom passed she was always there for me. If I needed someone she was there but i know she is up in heaven with Uncle Lloyd and my mom and all her other friends and family having the time of her life not suffering anymore I love you Aunt Mary
March 22, 2013
Barbara Brengan
So sorry about your MOM passing. Praying that God will be with you all thru this bad time. If yall need anything, please call me..Love Yall, Teresa, Nicole, Lisa, Jeremy and Hunter
March 22, 2013
I was so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. I've known and loved this family for almost my entire life. My sincere thoughts and prayers go to you all.
Love,
Trudy Johnson
March 22, 2013
Kelly Zownorega
Lisa,
Your mother and family are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you and send you a big hug through this time of sorrow.
Love,
Kelly, Robert, Eileen, Michael, Chris, Lindsey, Allison, Liam and Rory
March 22, 2013
Cindy, you and your family are in my prayers. Sorry to hear about your Mom. I know you and Suzanne will miss her very much. Peggy Wykle
March 22, 2013
Capps Becky
Mary was like a second mother to me. I was honored to have been able to spend many good and happy years with her. Although I will miss her dearly. She is now at home with our Good Lord and reunited with her loving husband Lloyd and her sisters, brother,parents and many long time friends. She is free from her Earthly body that inprisoned her for the last several years and is healthy again in her new Heavenly body. I will miss her dearly, but am so grateful she is no longer in pain. God Speed sweet Mary. I love you.
March 22, 2013
Bud Medlin
We are very sorry for your loss,but we know where she is now.Bud Medlin and family
March 22, 2013
Judy Maxwell Waldrop
I remember Mary as a little lady with a big smile - always so pleasant and happy. My thoughts and prayers are with the family as you celebrate her life and 'homegoing' to be with Jesus forever more. What a blessed assurance to know that He is ours and all is at peace. You have precious memories - hold on to them.
March 22, 2013
Bob & Beth Russell
Our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. Bob and I will always cherish the last visit with Mary. She knew exactly who we were and she reached out her hand for me to hold it. The Lord will comfort you during this period in your life. Bob and Beth Russell
March 21, 2013
Debbie, Robert Hinkle
Mary was a dear lady, and she will be missed. Our family enjoyed sharing a room with your family with our Mothers. Mary was concerned about my Mother even when she herself was in distress. that speaks volumes as the type of beautiful woman She was. May God bless your family with comfort, peace, and good memories of your life together. I'm sure She will be smiling down at you from heaven.
March 21, 2013
Amy Dyer
Mary was such a wonderful person and it was a blessing and honor to be part of her life and have her and her family a part of mine. I hold so many memories of Mary close to my heart and and not being able to see her and spend time with her so much throughout the week will be so hard. Anyone who knew her knows what a special person she was and how much she loved her family and especially her children. My husband and i are truely bless to have been able to be part of her life and i will always hold her close to my heart. She was so loving and she brought out the best in you when you were around her. I miss her more than anyone knows but i know she is in a better place than we are and i will see her again.
To her family Jim and I love you all so much, more than you will ever know and i thank you so much for letting us share so much time with her. We will always hold her in our hearts and will always think of you as part of our family as we thought of your mom. I will continue to keep you all in my thoughts and prayers and i want you all to know how much we love you and Thank you for letting us be part of her life.
March 21, 2013
Gloria Abernethy Bagnall
I am sorry for your passing, but I know that tha Lord has already opened his arms to you. I will never forget our good times when I was a wee girl. I know that everyone will miss you. You are now one of God's angels. To all of my first cousins, may God comfort you in you sorrow and loss. God bless the entire Abernethy family.
March 21, 2013
Teresa Coleman
So sorry for your loss
Teresacoleman Blanche and Austin Abernathy granddaughter
March 21, 2013
Greta Hovis
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998
March 21, 2013
Cherrish Slade
Teresa and family, May God keep you during this most difficult time. She was a beautiful lady and always so nice to me. Keeping you in my prayers.
March 21, 2013
Leslie Gibbons
Grandchildren--What an amazing grandma! You all are truly blessed. Thinking and praying for you.
March 21, 2013
charlie craig
Dear Family
We are so sorry for your loss. Mary and Lloyd were role models for us. As a young person new christian they were a great inspriation in my life. They were always happy, smiling and wanting to do something for anyone. I'm sure there is a great reunion in Heaven as they join back up in the glory of Christ and the angels.
All of you are in our prayers
God Bless
Charlie, Kathy & Amanda Craig
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