LoAnn Burch Abney went to be with her beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, Friday, September 7, 2012, after a hard-fought battle with multiple sclerosis. She left an indelible mark on all those who knew her. Her kindness, smile, strong will and wit will be missed by all.
LoAnn was born in Taylor, TX in 1936 to Hazel and Lowell Burch. On Christmas day, 1954, she married the love of her life, Jim Abney. LoAnn was predeceased by her parents, Hazel and Lowell Burch, her husband, Jim Abney and her youngest granddaughter, Alexandra Larkam. She is survived by her daughters, Kim Abney Davis(Walt) of Columbia, SC and Kristi Abney Larkam(Charles) of Austin, TX, her grandchildren, Kristen Davis Walker(Kyle), Kalle Davis, Kaitlin Davis, Tiffany Larkam, Charles Larkam, great Aunt Gladys Bergstrom and special cousins.
LoAnn had a rich heritage growing up in Austin. She attended Austin High School where she and “Jimmy” started dating. She was a devoted wife and mother and very committed to family. It was common on Sunday afternoons for four generations of her family to gather for coffee and spritz cookies and at one point, five generations attended those gatherings. She loved playing tennis several times a week before she was diagnosed with MS. Her immediate family thoroughly enjoyed joining her in the living room to watch and listen to her play the piano.
A true contributor to the Austin community, she was involved in multiple volunteer organizations. A few were the Junior League of Austin where she was the treasurer of the first “A Christmas Affair”, The Women’s Symphony League, The Jr. Austin Woman’s Club and later The Austin Woman’s Club. She served numerous positions on the PTA boards while her children were in school. Additionally, she enjoyed volunteering with the Texas School for the Blind.
LoAnn dedicated herself to her husband, children, grandchildren, and her many friends. The last few years of her life, though mostly bedridden, it was common to find numerous friends visiting, bringing her milk shakes and yummie lunches, laughing at her jokes, and hosting parties in her room so she could take part in them. She was a woman who could be trusted to keep your innermost secrets and never judge.
The family wishes to thank the Austin Pax House for their wonderful care and kindness. They were truly a blessing from God. The caregivers were invaluable and brought her much happiness. The family also wishes to express much gratitude to Odyssey Hospice and the very special care team that attended her.
Visitation will be from 4 o’clock in the afternoon until 6 o’clock in the evening, Friday, the 14th of September 2012 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar, Austin, TX, 78752. Services will be held at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, Saturday, the 15th of September 2012 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 200 West Anderson Lane, Austin, TX, 78752, with reception following. A private burial will be held before the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gethsemane Lutheran Church, the National MS Society, 700 Broadway, Ste 810, Denver, CO 80203-3442, or Odyssey Hospice Dream Foundation, 4201 West Parmer Lane, #100-Bldg C,, Austin, TX, 78727.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corintians 4:18.
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