Mary Wright Abernathy, 87, of 726 Union St., went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010 at her residence.

Born in Cherokee County, she was the widow of F. Sherwood Abernathy and daughter of the late Jessie G. Wright and Ila Stroup Wright. She was a graduate of Gaffney High School, a cashier for Life of Virginia for 25 years, and a teacher’s assistant for the Cherokee County Schools.

Mrs. Abernathy was a member of First Baptist Church for 80 years and was an active member of the Gleaners Sunday School Class and a member of the Young at Heart, Senior Adult Choir, Carrie Nell Rivers Circle and the Monday Night Dinner Group.

She is survived by a son, Danner Abernathy and wife, Joanne, of Gaffney; a daughter, Jeanne “Cookie” Pearce and husband, Mike, of Cheraw; five grandchildren, Malissa Phillips and husband, David, John Abernathy and wife, Jennifer, Tyler Abernathy and wife, Caroline, Betsy Drake and husband, Mark, and Matthew Pearce and wife, Megan; five greatgrandchildren, Kate Phillips, Anna Grace Phillips, Lilly Abernathy, Benji Abernathy and Mary Danner Abernathy; a special niece, Joyce Childers of Gaffney; and special friends, Valerie Turner, Frankie Turner and Mary Phillips, all of Gaffney.

She was preceded in death by five brothers and four sisters.

Visitation was held Thursday, Feb. 4, from 2:30-4 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Services immediately followed at 4 p.m. at the church with the Rev. Joel Sellers and Dr. T. David Phillips officiating. Interment was in Frederick Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers were John Abernathy, Tyler Abernathy, Matthew Pearce, Dr. David Phillips, Mark Drake, Joe Allen, Mark Bunch, Kim Phillips, Joel Hill and Keith Mathis.

Honorary pallbearers were the Gleaners Sunday School Class, Young at Heart and Senior Adult Choir.

Memorials may be made to Friends of Sardis United Methodist Church Cemetery, c/o Carrie L. Davis, 1685 McKowns Mountain Road, Gaffney, SC 29340; or to First Baptist Church (Faithful to the Vision), 200 N. Limestone St., Gaffney, SC 29340.

The family will be at the residence.

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