Janet “Jan” Abernathy, 76, Bland, passed away Nov. 5, 2025 at her residence.
She was born May 18, 1949, to the late Dora Elvin and Flora Fanny (Willson) Humphrey in Washington, one daughter of seven children born.
She was a 1967 graduate of Union High School and attended the East Central College in Union where she studied horticulture. Jan had the ability to identify almost any plant she saw and passed that information on to her family and friends.
She was united in marriage to Jerry Don Abernathy June 18, 1967, in Leslie at the Antioch Christian Church.
Jan worked at the Southwestern Belle Company in Union for a number of years. Afterwards, she enjoyed being on her farm growing plants, gardens, raising chickens, dogs, goats, cows and numerous other animals.
Jan read her bible daily and was a strong Christian and her faith in God was strong.
She liked to stay active cooking, canning what she grew in her garden, and sewing among other things. She sewed her own wedding dress and was a very talented seamstress.
Later in life Jan made a special friend, Thomas Laycock, who she enjoyed spending time with and going dancing with. Above all, she loved time spent with family and will be missed greatly by those that knew and loved her.
Jan was preceded in death by husband, Jerry; parents, Dora and Flora; brothers, Robert, Harold and William Humphrey and an infant brother, James Raymond Humphrey; sisters-in-law, Thea and Janet Humphrey; brothers-in-laws, Norbert and Don Luechtefeld; and special friend, Thomas Laycock.
She is survived by sons, Paul Abernathy and wife Tammy of Bland, Scot Abernathy and girlfriend Mary of Bland and Todd Abernathy and fiancé Jennifer of Grey Summit; grandchildren, Lorna, Nicholas, Gage, Katlynn, J.D. and Gabe; brother, Roy Humphrey and wife Joyce of Cuba; sisters, Marilyn Luechtefeld of Vienna and Jane Luechtefeld of Beaufort; sister-in-law Arlene Humphrey; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 10, at Sassmann’s Chapel in Belle. Interment was in Francis Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Sassmann’s Chapel in Bland.
