Tony Abernethy

Tony Jones Abernethy, 79, of Hildebran, NC, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at home surrounded by his family. Born March 14, 1943, he was the son of the late Boyd and Gladys Miller Abernethy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Linda Faye Abernethy and son-in-law, Joseph Travis George Jr.

Tony was proud to serve the country in the United States Navy on the USS Trigger submarine. After his time in the service, Tony continued to serve his community, running a heating and plumbing business with his father and working as a building inspector for Burke County. Tony was well-versed in many trades and was always the man his family would call on to build or fix anything. An intelligent and honest man who was always ready to tackle the next task, Tony looked forward to making molasses and participating in local holiday parades. He was a past Master of the Masonic Lodge and a member of Cookville Lodge.

Tony was most excited to spend time with the love of his life and their family. A family man who loved God, Tony is survived by his wife, Judy Barrier Abernethy; his children: Tracy George of Hildebran, NC, Gina Welch and husband Troy of Hildebran, NC, Jeremy Abernethy and wife Amanda of Hildebran, NC; his brother: Dale Abernethy and wife Alice of Granite Falls, NC; sisters: Tammy Gilbert and husband Douglas of Hildebran, NC, Brenda Taylor and husband Douglas of Marshall, NC; grandchildren: Kenneth George and wife Crystal, Jason George and wife Heather, Alan George, David George, Belle George, Ashley George, Sydney George, Emery Welch and wife Madison, Madelyn Welch, and Chance Abernethy; and three great-grandchildren.

We will be celebrating the life of Tony Jones Abernethy on March 4, 2023, at First Baptist Church Hildebran Life Center at 2:00 p.m., where we will be enjoying refreshments and sharing sweet stories about Tony’s life. The address of the service location is 8831 Old NC HWY 10, Hildebran, NC 28637. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to AMOREM Hospice, 902 Kirkwood Street, NW
Lenoir, NC 28645.

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memorial Wall at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Abernethy family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.