J Matthews Abernathy

James Matthews Abernathy, 91, farmer and resident of the Campbellsville Pike, died Thursday, February 20, 2014 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 2:00 P.M. at Bigbyville United Methodist Church with Rev. Tony Brown officiating. Burial will follow in McCains Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home and Sunday from 1:00 - 2:00 P.M. at the church. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with the arrangements. The family suggests memorials to Bigbyville United Methodist Church, c/o Terry Bailey, 4063 Covey Hollow Road, Culleoka, TN 38451 or McCains Cemetery, c/o Gene Howell, 200 Osage Trail, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be offered online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born in Maury County, he was the son of the late Fletcher Clayton Abernathy and Alice Irene Adkisson Abernathy. He was a 1941 graduate of Columbia Central High School. Mr. Abernathy was a former employee of Maury Farmers Co-op and retired from E. I. DuPont in 1978 after fifteen years employment. Mr. Abernathy was a life-long faithful member of Bigbyville United Methodist Church, former Sunday School Superintendent, and served on the Board of Trustees. Survivors include his wife of sixty-six years, Sue Bumpus Abernathy of Columbia; son, John Abernathy of Knoxville; daughter, Donna Abernathy Barker and husband Carl Barker of Maryville; son-in-law, Dr. John Garber of Ada, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Dr. Gabe Garber and his wife Dr. Amy Garber of Boise, Idaho; Dr. Lance Garber and his wife Dr. Dana Garber of Edmond, Oklahoma; Emily Barker Hodges and her husband Travis Hodges of Seymour; Alan Barker and his wife Cristina of Knoxville; John Luke Garber of Ada, Oklahoma; nine great grandchildren; and several nieces. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Alice Ann Abernathy Garber; two brothers, John Abernathy and Raymond Abernathy; and two sisters, Eleanor Abernathy and Grace Abernathy Peters. Active pallbearers will be Dr. Lance Garber, John Luke Garber, Alan Barker, Dan Mayberry, Greg Deen, Jim Bumpus, Glenn Perry, and Carl Barker. Honorary pallbearers include all members of Bigbyville United Methodist Church, neighbors of Sowell Hollow Road and Campbellsville Pike neighbors.