CHARLES WILLIAM ABERNATHY

DONIPHAN -- Charles William Abernathy, 79, of Doniphan died Thursday, Nov. 25, 1999, at Methodist Central Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

He was born Aug. 16, 1920, at Ripley, Miss., son of Oscar and Georgia Baker Abernathy. He and Opal Bishop were married in Canalou, on Oct. 7, 1939. She preceded him in death May 10, 1978. He later married Lillian Griffin Brooks on Aug. 12, 1991, in Doniphan.

He had worked as a farmer and had lived in Ripley County for 30 years. He was a private in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and attended First Baptist Church of Doniphan.

Survivors include his wife; four sons, Kenneth Abernathy of Rockford, Ill., James Abernathy of Fairdealing, Larry Abernathy of Eminence and Robert Abernathy of Jamesville, Wis.; four daughters, Shirley Brown of Dexter, Bonnie Riley of Doniphan, Darlene Bowden of Rockford, Ill., and Dorthey Collins of Bull Gap, Tenn.; three brothers, Mark Abernathy of Benton, R.L. Abernathy of Canalou and Lee Abernathy of Paris, Ill.; one step-son, Michael Lamb of Olathe, Kan.; two step-daughters, Judy Cox of Salt Lake City and Susan Thomas of Naylor; 18 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, one brother, one sister and five grandchildren.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. today at Blanchard Funeral Chapel in Sikeston. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the chapel. The Rev. Wade Rogers will officiate, with burial to follow at Dogwood Cemetery in East Prairie.