Edith Abernathy

BOILING SPRINGS - Mrs. Edith Durham Abernathy, 87, of 324 Golden Carriage Run, passed away Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008. She was the widow of Jimmy Abernathy.

A Gaffney native and long-time resident, she and her husband moved to Boiling Springs in 1995.

Her loving children, as well as all who knew her and loved her were blessed to have had the joy of her kind, tender and selfless soul in their lives for many years. She has gone to a joyful place without sadness or pain, where she will join her beloved husband Jimmy Abernathy of 62 years. A loving, merciful God in an eternal world where love is stronger than death has received her gentle, gracious soul.

Born Oct. 7, 1920, in Gaffney, she was the daughter of the late John and Florence Durham. She attended Gaffney High School. She was a member of Cherokee Avenue Baptist Church in Gaffney. She worked as the hostess at the Hotel Carroll for many years and retired from Kelly's Steak House in Blacksburg after 24 years. She enjoyed working in her yard, embroidery, spending time with her family, and riding her golf cart with the young children on Golden Carriage Run.

She is survived by her cherished loving children, Marybeth A. Solesbee of Boiling Springs, Jimmy Kent Abernathy and his wife, Hazel, of Gaffney,and David Durham Abernathy and his wife, Mary, of Lanexa, Va. She is survived by seven grandchildren, Penny Lynn Bryant and husband, John, of Gaffney, Mary Kent Bishop and husband, Carroll, of Boiling Springs, James David Webb and wife, Leigh Ann, of Boiling Springs, William Christopher Solesbee of Boiling Springs, Karen Barnes and husband, Troy, of Bradenton, Fla., John Abernathy and wife, Jenny, of Lyons, Colo., and David Abernathy of Charleston. She had nine great-grandchildren.

A special brother, Charles Durham and wife, Juanita, of Anderson also survive her.

All of us will miss her lively mind and spirited presence.

Two sisters, Willena Steinbach and Sandra Jones, and a brother, Walter Durham, predeceased her.

She also wished to pay special recognition to her beloved, dedicated daughter, Marybeth, sons, Kent and Dave, and daughters-in-law, Hazel and Mary, who cared for her so tenderly. Also, special recognition to the neighbors of Golden Carriage Run for their many acts of kindness.

The family is at her home at 324 Golden Carriage Run.

The family will receive friends on Friday, Sept. 19, from 6-8 p.m. at Blakely Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, at 3:30 p.m. in Blakely Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Clyde Thomas officiating. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 310-B Bennett Center Drive, Greer, S.C. 29650; or to Cherokee Avenue Baptist Church, 805 Cherokee Ave., Gaffney, S.C. 29340; or to Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home, 686 Jeff Davis Drive, Spartanburg, S.C. 29303.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome. com.