Vallie Abernathy's Obituary
Obituary Age 99 Vallie Kennedy Abernathy Vallie Kennedy Abernathy, 99, died August 30, 2015, just 22 days short of her 100th birthday. She was the wife of Joe B. Abernathy and longtime resident of Dallas. Vallie, a native of Whitesboro, TX, Grayson County, was born to beloved parents, Reuben Jackson Kennedy, Sr. and Vallie Stuart Kennedy on September 21, 1915. She attended school in Whitesboro and was Salutatorian of the graduating class of 1932. She received a scholarship to North Texas State Teachers College but was unable to use it due to the stock market crash of 1929 and the depression that followed. In 1934, she became a freshman at NTSTC where she met Joe Beeler Abernathy of Palo Pinto, Texas. Their romance culminated in their marriage at the home of her parents in Whitesboro on January 30, 1937. Their first home was Dallas and they always considered Dallas their home. Joe was appointed as an F.B.I. agent in May 1942 and they lived in Greensboro, North Carolina, Newark, NJ, San Antonio, TX, Monterey Park, California, returning to Dallas in 1953. Two children were born to this union, Suzanne and Richard K. Abernathy. The family became members of Walnut Hill United Methodist Church in 1953. Vallie served as president of the WSCS, United Methodist Women twice and president of the Harmony Class. She was the first woman to serve as chairman of the Administrative Board, was chairman of the Altar Guild and taught 6th grade Sunday school. Vallie was active in the F.B.I. Women (wives of retired F.B.I. agents). She was president of Chapter BZ in the P.E.O. Sisterhood (a philanthropic educational organization) and served as president of the P.E.O. Council of Greater Dallas Area. She was also president of the Alpha Phi A.M Alumnae. Preceding her in death was her husband, Joe B. Abernathy. Survived by Richard K. Abernathy and his wife Bonnie, Plano, TX; Suzanne A. Perry and husband, George R. Perry, Glenwood, MD; granddaughters, Jennifer P. Gallagher, Ellicott City, MD and Sandra Abernathy, Dallas, TX; great-grandson Brennan Gallagher, Ellicott City, MD, great-granddaughter Bryn Gallagher. She is also survived by nephew, Reuben Jackson Kennedy, Redmond, WA; niece Nancy Kennedy Keepers, Dallas, TX; nephew Wm. G. Abernathy, Denver, CO; nephew Gregory Abernathy, Breckenridge, CO. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM at Walnut Hill United Methodist Church, 10066 Marsh Lane, on Friday, September 4, 2015. Viewing will be held at Restland Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243 at Restland Road.
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