Bessie (Mcalister) Abernathy

Bessie Abernathy, 80, of Wappapello, Mo. died Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Abernathy was born May 16, 1931 in Portageville, Mo. She was a member of Lakeland Assembly of God at Wappapello, and had retired after 30 years with General Motors in Flint, Mich. Mrs. Abernathy enjoyed spending time with her family especially her grandchildren, reading the Bible, cooking, camping, boating and traveling.

On May 14, 1949, she married Lester Abernathy in Piggott, Ark. He survives.

Other survivors include her children, Greg Abernathy and wife Linda of Louisa, Va. and Pat Clark and husband Steve of O?Fallon, Mo.; grandchildren, Seth Abernathy and wife Rachael, Sarah Abernathy, Alicia Helms and husband Ryan and Melissa Clark; great-grandchildren, Alexis and Noah Abernathy and Avery and Rilyn Helms; sisters, Rebecca Montgomery of Virginia Beach, Va. and Freddie Kinchen and husband Bill of Gideon, Mo.; and brother, George McAlister and wife Sue of Wappapello.

Her parents, Fred and Carrie (Trease) McAlister preceded Mrs. Abernathy in death.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wappapello Cotrell Funeral Chapel. The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Wappapello Chapel with Pastor Arvin Haynes officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Campbell, Mo.