Della Abernathy

Della Mae Abernathy, 87, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Jackson, passed away Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at Chateau Girardeau.

She was born March 19, 1931, in Crump, daughter of Sylvanus and Hester Proffer Eakins. She and Travis Abernathy were married March 22, 1952, in Glenallen, Missouri. He passed away Sept. 27, 1992.

Della was born and raised in Crump. After she and Travis were married, they spent most of their married life in Oklahoma, while Travis worked for Mobil Oil Co. They always aspired to move back to the Crump area some day and, after Travis retired in 1986, they followed their dreams and moved back "home."

Della was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson.

Loving survivors include two sons, Kenneth (Nelva) Abernathy of San Antonio and Michael Abernathy of Thomas, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Joshua and Brandi Abernathy and Amy, Amber, Jose, Issamar, Nelva and Alma Abernathy; great-grandchildren, Allysa, Kylie, Ethan, Emma and Savannah Abernathy and Dekker Wills; two sisters, Deanna (Vincent) Friedrich and Darlene Eakins; and a brother, Doyle (Wanda) Eakins.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Gloria Jean Verbeck; a brother, Donald Eakins; and three sisters, Delthia Crader, Dorothy Scholz and Delma Stroder.

The visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral service will be at 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jimmy Corbin officiating. Interment will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery in Marble Hill, Missouri.

The family suggests contributions be made to the Proffer Cemetery at Crump.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.