Zona Abernathy

Zona Gale Abernathy, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was born June 19, 1939, in Waterloo, Illinois, to Ralph W. and Lillian Pape Mueller. Zona and Donald Abernathy were married Aug. 15, 1964.

She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Zona graduated valedictorian of her class. She worked at KFMP radio station, Union Planters Bank and Cape Mercantile Bank. She enjoyed volunteering at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau for 14 years. She had a passion for writing and wrote several books.

Survivors include two sons, John (Toni) Abernathy and Brett (Jenny) Abernathy, both of Cape Girardeau; sister, Sandra Jean Mueller Metzger of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; grandchild, Lilly Gale Abernathy; and four stepgrandchildren, Kacie (Ryan) Livesay, Makenzie (Jamel) Oliver, Lukas Sadler and Jackson Sadler.

Zona was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 20, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will follow at noon Friday, Jan. 20, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Linda Gastreich officiating. A private burial will be at York Chapel Cemetery in Longtown, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Francis Foundation Auxiliary, 211 St. Francis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.

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