Clarence Wayne Abernathy

CLARENCE WAYNE “BUDDY” ABERNATHY, age 93, entered Eternal Life on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. Wayne was born on September 28, 1929 in Pulaski, Tennessee to Clarence Abernathy Jr. and Elsie Childers Abernathy. Wayne attended Martin College and Tennessee Technological University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. After working at the State of Tennessee Highway Department for almost 13 years, Wayne returned to Tennessee Tech at the age of 35 to pursue a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering. Upon receiving his second degree in Spring 1966, he began a career with the Nashville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Wayne was a licensed Professional Engineer. He worked in both the fields of Hydraulic Engineering and Information Technology until his retirement in 1997.

Wayne was a loyal and active member of Crievewood United Methodist Church for over 60 years. He loved outdoor activities, including maintaining a beautiful yard, growing vegetable gardens, and taking walks around the block or at Radnor Lake. Wayne was also an avid tennis player for many years. Numerous spring and summer evenings were spent practicing softball with his daughters. In later years, he liked to sit outside in a lounge chair, observing the wildlife and enjoying frequent visits from one of the neighborhood cats. Wayne was a true Southern gentleman, admired for his courtesy, generosity, integrity, and kindness. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Susan Smith Abernathy, brother Joe Abernathy, and sister Mary Beth Phillips. He is survived by daughter Pamela Beth Abernathy, daughter and son-in-law Holly and Mark Gittings, sister-in-law Bettye Abernathy, nephews Bobby and Patrick Phillips, and niece Elsie West.

Visitation will be held from 2 o’clock in the afternoon until eight on Friday, December 9th, and also for one hour prior to service time at the church. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at one-thirty in the afternoon on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Crievewood United Methodist Church, 451 Hogan Road. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Crievewood United Methodist Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woodlawn-Roesch-PattonFH.com for the Abernathy family.