Willie Abernathy

Mr. Willie Cleve Abernathy was born February 25, 1944 in Columbus, Georgia, the son of Robert H. Sr. and Jessie Cross Abernathy. God in His infinite wisdom called him home to glory on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at the age of 76 years.

Willie was a lifelong resident of Saginaw, Michigan. He committed his life to Christ and was a faithful member of True Vine Baptist Church. Willie was a dedicated employee at General Motors Grey Iron Foundry and actively participated with UAW Local 668. After 35 years of service, he retired. During his early years, he met and married the love of his life, Bettie Jean Roddy, and the two of them shared 54 years of marriage before his passing.

Some of Willie’s past times were taking pictures, listening to music, riding around town and being around family in Saginaw, Chicago, Tennessee, Alabama and Arkansas. He was an immaculate dresser who had to match to the T! Willie was the Patriarch of the whole family and he will deeply be missed.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents, Robert H. Abernathy, Sr., Jessie Cross (Watson) Sears; brothers, Robert H. Jr. and Larry Abernathy; sister, Jackie Abernathy Watkins; stepsister, Earlene Johnson; nephew, Robert Howard Watkins.

He leaves endearing memories with his wife, Bettie Abernathy; children, Natalie and Greg Abernathy; sister, Hazel Cook; brother, Jerry Abernathy; stepbrother, David (Dorothy) Gray; nieces, Angela Sears, Faye Abernathy, Marquetta Woods, all of Saginaw, Michigan, Twayla Simmons, Dallas, Texas, Jessica Abernathy, Detroit, Michigan; nephews, Duane Abernathy, Shannon Cook, Donnie Cook, Derrick Cook, Jerry Abernathy, all of Saginaw, Michigan, Freddie Watkins, Caleva, Alabama; aunt, Margaret Nichols, Chicago, Illinois; special cousin, Leslie Bowens; sisters-in-law, Leslie Taylor, Atlanta, Georgia, Ann Winters, Little Rock, Arkansas, Irma Culberson, Jeanie Wells, both of St. Louis, Missouri, Dorothy Neal, Little Rock Arkansas; brothers-in-law, Theopolis Roddy, Seattle, Washington, Freddie Watkins, Sr., Birmingham, Alabama; many other relatives and friends, including special friends Stella Fry, William Doxie, Velma Kidd Richardson and special neighbors Terry Triplett, Tyrone Bryant and Micah Biggins.

The family would like to express special thanks to MarQuette Woods, Shannon Cook, Dr. Jane Castillo and Covenant Visiting Nurses Association, Pastor Paul E. Broaddus and True Vine Baptist Church, the Neighborhood Watch, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.


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