Mrs. Ada Eugenia Brown Abernathy

Mrs. Ada Eugenia Brown Abernathy, 96, of Ellijay, formerly of Alpharetta, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020.  

She was born in Atlanta, Oct. 17, 1924, to the late Pearl Burdette Clarke and Levi Barnett Brown.

She married Paul James Abernathy Jr., April 5, 1942, at Martha Brown Methodist Church in Atlanta.

After graduation from Girls’ High School, Atlanta, she attended business college and began her career as an administrative secretary. She served in the capacity of secretary to the rector at Holy Innocent’s Episcopal Church for 25 years, and upon retiring, she traveled, enjoyed working on her family genealogy, and participated in Emory University’s Women’s Health Initiative, a nationwide study of women and their health as they age.  

A member of Crabapple First Baptist Church, she  served on many committees, taught Sunday school as an active member and leader of The Joy Class and enjoyed sweet fellowship.  

She was mother not only to her own children, but to all the kids from Crabapple, who grew up with her children, and many who have become “honor” sons and daughters through the years. 

As a pastor’s wife, she was active in missionary work and enjoyed nothing better than having missionaries in her home for rest and relaxation.

She is preceded in death by husband, Paul James Abernathy Jr.; sons, Paul James “Jim” Abernathy and Andrew Mark Abernathy; brother and sister; son-in-law, Billy Kirk; daughter-in-law, Nancy Elizabeth Anderson Abernathy; and all of her brothers and sisters-in-law. 

She is survived by daughters, Paula Eugenia Abernathy Kirk, of Bridgeport, W.Va., Mary Elizabeth Abernathy and Amy Ruth Abernathy Rhodes, both of Ellijay; son, Lawrence Barnett Abernathy (Kathy), of Ellijay, daughter-in-law, Hazar Al Shater Abernathy, of Alpharetta; grandchildren, Lois Eugenia “Jeannie” Kirk Dent, of Roswell,  Joel Wray Kirk, of Bridgeport, W.Va., Phillip Jason Abernathy, of Seaford, Va.,  Paul James Anderson “Andy” Abernathy, of Asheville, N.C., Sami Jameson Al Shater Abernathy, of Alpharetta, Sarah Megan Abernathy Yim (Sam), of Ball Ground, Andrew Michael Paul Abernathy (Kyra), of Dawsonville, Mark Lawrence James (Victoria) Abernathy, of Ellijay, and Matthew Austin Dobson, of Woodstock; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was truly the “last man standing” of this piece of the Greatest Generation.

A public graveside service was held Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, at Green Lawn Cemetery in Roswell.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Crabapple First Baptist Church. 

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200. Please enclose a separate note with your check stating that your gift is ‘preferenced for the Wycliffe ministry of David and Estelle Abernathy’.

Bernhardt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.