Rodger Abernathy

Rodger C. Abernathy, 71, formerly of Liberty, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at his home in Winter Springs, FL.. Rodger was born on September 1, 1943, to Robert and Ruth Steins Abernathy in Union County. He was raised in Union County and graduated from College Corner High School in 1961. He received his graduate and undergraduate degrees from Purdue University before joining the Air Force in 1966. In 1971, he joined WR Grace and lived in Chelmsford, MA, where he was an active member of the community and participant in Jaycees. In 1991, Abernathy moved to Pine Bluff, AR to work with Strong-Lite products before retiring in 1996 and returning to Liberty. In 1998, he and his wife retired to Winter Springs. Rodger is survived by his wife, Jane, three sons: Gary, Brett and Brian; a brother: Harold Abernathy of Liberty; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ruth Steins Abernathy, and his brothers Richard and Gerald. A public graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M on Monday, May 11, 2015, at Sims Cemetery (Franklin County) where Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by American Legion Post # 122 and VFW Post # 1472 of Liberty. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association at https://donate.heart.org. Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Fosdick Chapel, in Liberty is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.