Born in Cherokee County, Nov. 24, 1921, he was the son of the late Smith Augustus Abernathy and the late Zonnie Victoria Hufstetler Abernathy. He is preceded in death by his wife, Zonnia Abernathy; his brothers, Rev. Waldon Abernathy, Alton, Dave, Edd and Lum Abernathy; his sister, Ruby Adams; and twin grandsons, Branton and Trevor Walker.
Brother Elihue was the founding pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in White and served for over 30 years before retiring. He ministered to the congregation extensively, seeking out the needs of the people and leading them to Jesus Christ through his never ending Christian love, which God so richly blessed him. He was also a member of the Adairsville Lodge No. 168 and served his country during WWII in the U.S. Army.
Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Lynn and Daphne Abernathy, Ronald and Jeanelle Abernathy and Lamar and Pam Abernathy -- all of Adairsville, Kenneth and Anna Abernathy of Talking Rock and Jeffory and Jodie Abernathy of Adairsville; his daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Lamar Hayes of Adairsville; his brothers, John Henry Abernathy of Cartersville; his sister, Louise Autry of Cartersville; 16 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Fellowship Baptist Church in White, with Parnick Jennings Jr., Rev. Ralph Shook, Rev. Lane Tow, Rev. Lamar Hayes and Lamar Abernathy officiating. Brother Elihue will lie-in-state from 12 to 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers and will include: Dewayne, Shayne, Josh, Michael, Kyle and Isaac Abernathy. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Caleb Cabe, Rodney Cabe, J. L. Ray, Michael Walker, Blake and Shawn Dutto and Clinton Herndon.
Please join Brother Elihue's family in celebrating his life by visiting www.jenningsfuneralhome.com to share memories and to post tributes.
Parnick Jennings Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 430 Cassville Road, Cartersville, is in charge of the arrangements for Rev. Elihue Abernathy.