Donald Douglas Abernethy, 82, of Lincolnton passed away Monday, May 5, 2014 at Carolina's Medical Center Lincoln.
Born August 8, 1931 in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Ernest Glenn Abernethy and Lottie Shaw Abernethy. He was a member of Ivey Memorial United Methodist Church in Maiden and devoted his life to public service with an impact of making the world a better place. He served his country in the Korean War, and returned to complete degrees from both Lenoir Rhyne University and Duke University. He began his long career in public education as a teacher-principal at Catawba Elementary. He was principal at Wallace-Rose Hill High School, Wallace, and Hoke High School, Raeford. He continued his educational career as director of Student Teaching at Pembroke State University. He later returned to the Hoke County School System as superintendent where he led one of the first integrations of a public school system in North Carolina. This is an accomplishment that he, his family and friends are most proud of. He served as chief of staff in US Congress and finished his working career at Christian Tours.
In addition to his parents, three brothers, Ernest, Frank and William "Bill" Abernethy preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years Iris Grigg Abernethy; four sons, Donald Douglas, Jr. of Asheville, Jeffrey Glenn Abernethy and wife, Heather of Stuart, Florida, Robert Fulton Abernethy and wife, Pam of Lincolnton, and Jonathan Lloyd Abernethy of Lincolnton; a daughter, Beth Abernethy Kerrigan and husband, Chris of Charleston, South Carolina; a brother,
Tony Abernethy of Newton; five sisters, Glenda Frazier of N. Myrtle Beach, Nancy Sherrill of Maiden, Darlene Lockman of Newton, Diane Hendrix of Sherrills Ford, and Norma York of Newton; nine grandchildren, Joseph, Stephen, Nina, David, Erin, Anna, Sara, Collin, and Mary Katherine; and two great-grandchildren, Breanna and Kaitlyn.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Ivey Memorial United Methodist Church in Maiden with Pastor Jim Mathews and Pastor Bob Combs officiating. The body will lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends, Wednesday, May 7, 2014 from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to: Ivey memorial United Methodist Church, 1360 Ivey Church Rd., Maiden, NC 28650.
Burke Mortuary in Maiden is serving the Abernethy Family.