Victoria Abernathy

Victoria Lynn Abernathy, 70, of Jackson died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born May 13, 1948, in Cape Girardeau to James Reed and Belva Jean Niswonger Litzelfelner.

Victoria was a 1966 Jackson High School graduate, where she was active in the marching band as a twirler and head majorette. She attended Southeast Missouri State University and was a member of the Golden Eagles marching band as majorette for the band that performed at the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl halftime shows. She was also a 1971 graduate of Braniff International Airline Flight Attendant School. She was a Braniff flight attendant for more than 16 years.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Jackson Noon Optimist and American Business Women's Association. She served as a Jackson Homecomer's talent show judge, Jackson Heritage Association president and Oliver House tour guide, representative to lobby U.S. Congress for diabetes research funding, representative to Democratic National Convention, substitute teacher and private tutor and board member for the Jackson Heritage Association, SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence and American Diabetes Association.

Victoria was the recipient of the Jackson Heritage Association award as outstanding citizen of the community. In 1964 she was named the Jackson Sesquicentennial queen.

Survivors include one daughter, Mandy (Michael) Eakins of Nicholasville, Kentucky; one brother, Jim (Ella Lorraine) Litzelfelner, and one sister, Wendy Hayes, both of Jackson; one niece, Lacey Hayes of Nashville, Tennessee; one nephew, A.J. Litzelfelner of Tampa, Florida; and best friend, Terri Tomlin of Jackson.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Jackson Funeral Home.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Grant Gillard officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be given to Jackson R-2 School Foundation.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.