Norma Abernathy

LONGTOWN, Mo. -- Norma K. Abernathy, 89, of Granite City, Ill., formerly of Longtown, died Wednesday, March 30, 2005, at St. Sophia Nursing Center in Florissant, Mo.

She was born April 14, 1915, at Gideon, Mo., daughter of Cleveland and Maude Jaynes Tidwell. She and Howard Abernathy were married May 26, 1938. He died Aug. 8, 1969.

Abernathy was a nurse's aide and had worked at St. Mary's Hospital in East St. Louis, Ill., Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau and St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Granite City, Ill.

Survivors include two sons, Gary Abernathy of Silver Springs, Md., Howard Abernathy of Hartshorn, Mo.; a daughter, Lois Matchett of Granite City; two half sisters, Melba Greer of Granite City, Mildred Gregory of Dexter, Mo.; a half brother, Gale Minehart of Granite City; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, three sisters, two brothers, two stepbrothers and two stepsisters.

Friends may call at Young and Sons Funeral Home in Perryville, Mo., from 10 a.m. today until time of service.

The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Joel Sebastian officiating. Burial will be in York Chapel Cemetery.