Everette Abernathy

Everette Lee Abernathie died Saturday, March 10, 2012, in Covenant Hospital. He was born April 12, 1933, at home in a small farmhouse in Jack County, TX, the son of Everette Bentley Abernathie and Ruby Lee Ballow Abernathie. Sharing the family home were his parents, great-grandfather, three uncles and an aunt. Everette grew up accustomed to hard work, caring for cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys and sheep; cultivating and harvesting crops, and attending a one-room country school. As an only child he later recalled his excitement when cousins and other children visited to play with him. He graduated from Perrin High School and attended Tarleton Junior College in Stephenville for two years. He then transferred to Texas Tech, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics in 1954. He met his wife, Ann Edwards, at the Baptist Student Union, when both were Tech students. They were married in 1954 in Ford Chapel at First Baptist Church, Lubbock, with her grandfather, Rev. George Dale, officiating. At the time of her death in 2006, they had been married for 52 years. An ROTC student at Tarleton and Texas Tech, he went on active duty with the U.S. Army at Ft. Benning, GA, for two years, achieving the rank of Captain. They returned to Lubbock, where he went into business with his father-in-law at Kennedy-Edwards Insurance and Real Estate, which later became Edwards and Abernathie, Inc. He was a successful businessman in both the Insurance and Real Estate fields and served as president of the Lubbock Board of Realtors. As members of First Baptist Church, Everette, Ann, and her father, J.C. Edwards, saw the need for a new congregation in Lubbock, which would serve the growing community and a younger generation. Together with other interested families, they were instrumental in founding and supporting Second Baptist Church, at 53rd and Elgin. The couple continued to be active in the church throughout the years, teaching Sunday School, serving in leadership positions and welcoming new members to the church. Many members remember Everette and Ann as the first people to greet them when they first attended. Mr. Abernathie was committed to the Lubbock community, serving on the board of a number of organizations, including: Sick Children’s Clinic, a ministry of 2nd Baptist Church, Lubbock Human Relations Committee, Habitat of Humanity, Lubbock Board of Realtors and Lubbock Volunteer Center. He as a faithful volunteer with Meals on Wheels for over 20 years, most recently accompanied by his grandsons, Connor and Andrew. He was also proud to serve on the board of the PCC (Pastoral Consultation Committee) for The CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) for Covenant Health Systems. A kind and compassionate man, Everette was dedicated to the church and a faithful man of God and his life was guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ. He had a positive influence on, and was a role model to countless people both through the church and in the community through his involvement in numerous organizations. As a proud alumnus he supported the arts, education and sports programs at Texas Tech and could be seen at many Tech Basketball and Football games. He also had a wonderful sense of humor and loved hearing and telling a good joke. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann, and son, Kent. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Kyle and Sarah Abernathie; two grandsons, Connor and Andrew; granddaughter, Jessica Abernathie; niece, Jana K. Edwards; and nephew, Brent Edwards. A memorial service officiated by former Second Baptist pastors, Hardy Clemons and Charles Johnson will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at Second Baptist Church, 6109 Chicago. Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels of Lubbock, Lubbock Habitat for Humanity, or the Sick Children’s Clinic.

Everette Abernathy

April 12, 1933 - March 10, 2012