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Shirley Abernathy, Pastor’s Wife

By February 25, 2015No Comments

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Shirley Abernathy, a pastor’s wife, died on Feb. 22. She was 87.

Shirley was born to Calvin and Anna Videon on April 5, 1927, in Staten Island, New York. She met the love of her life, William E. Abernathy, of Hiddenite, North Carolina, while he served with the U.S. Navy on Staten Island. They were married on July 20, 1946.

Shirley was a devoted pastor’s wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and a dedicated friend to many. She and her husband served full-time at Jones Memorial Methodist Church, Mooresville, North Carolina; Pennside Community Chapel, New Castle, Delaware; First Baptist Church, Newfield, New Jersey; and Immanuel Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio.

She was an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church for 46 years, teaching children in Sunday School and Awana, working in the church’s Maternity Resource Center, and serving in many other capacities. In more recent years, when health limited her involvement, she continued to be an active prayer warrior.

She was preceded in death by newborn twin sons and a great-granddaughter.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, William; three children, Betty Allen, Joy Bodenmiller, and Bill Abernathy Jr., pastor of Berean Baptist Church, Portage, Michigan; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2:00–4:00 p.m. and 6:00–8:00 p.m., at Immanuel Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Feb. 27, 2:00 p.m., at Immanuel Baptist Church.