McCOMB — Memorial services for Cledis L. “Sonny” Abernathy, 54, of Summit, who died Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at St. Dominic Memorial Hospital in Jackson, were Saturday, May 23, 2009, at the Jehovah Witnesses Kingdom Hall, West Congregation of McComb.
A celebration of Sonny’s life will be held in the Vidalia area and will be announced at a later date.
Mr. Abernathy was born May 12, 1955, in Delhi, La., the son of Cledis L. Abernathy Sr. of Vidalia and Helen Harris Abernathy of Fruita, Colo. He was a member of the Jehovah Witnesses West Congregation of McComb.
Sonny was known for his many talents. He was a licensed pilot, a craftsman builder, a certified Farrier, an avid horseman, and a well-known breeder/trainer of Catahoula Cur dogs. He was most recently self-employed as a builder and was employed by Three Rivers Farm Supply for several years where he acquired a second family. Building and witnessing for Jehovah were things that Sonny enjoyed and took great pride in.
Sonny was an outstanding individual who was loved by all who knew him and truly made the world a better place.
Survivors include his wife of almost nine years, Bonnie Jensen Abernathy; his parents; two children, Harris Blaine Abernathy of Meadville and Jenna Hemilburger and husband, Carl, of Phenix City, Ala.; one brother, Cy Abernathy of Monterey; three sisters, Patti Brewington and husband, Al, and Traci Hutchins and husband, Dexter, all of Fruita, Colo., and Melodye Johnston and husband, Jerry, of Chattanooga, Tenn.; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rodger and Ruth Jensen of Salem, Ala.; one grandson, Ian Cole Hemilburger of Phenix City; three nephews, Jason Brewington, Travis Reasner and Quincy Banks; four nieces, Emma Hutchins, Sara Hannum, Amber Ricord and Hannah Abernathy; seven brothers-in-law; one sister-in-law; and a number of friends.
To share sympathies, condolences and memories, go to Hartman-Sharkeyfuneralhome.com.