Arthur Abernathy

Arthur Loyd "Mayor" Abernathy, 92, of Dinwiddie County crossed the bar on February 13, 2018. He was the son of the late Arthur Thomas Abernathy and the late Norma Wray Abernathy, and was preceded in death by a sister, Gloria Cash. He was a US Navy WWII veteran who proudly served in active duty both in the European and Pacific theaters. After receiving multiple awards for his exemplary naval service, he received honorable discharge and married the love of his life, the late Jessie Jane Wilkerson. He was employed by Hercules Inc. where he worked for 38 years. He was a founding member of Reams Independent Methodist Church, a lifetime member of Hopewell VFW Lodge #637 and the Rowanty Hunt Club. As a 50-year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 882, he entertained countless children and adults as "Joey the Clown." He was a city boy raised in Petersburg, Virginia, who established his roots in rural Dinwiddie County and became a skilled gardener, winemaker and eventual honorary "Mayor" of Reams Station. Later in his life he resided at Hanover Manor, Ashland, where he connected with his inner artist and enjoyed conversations with many new friends and wonderful caregivers. He is survived by three daughters, Constance Moores (Brian) of Ashland, Deborah Streicker of Richmond, and Lynn Rives (Cabell) of Linden, North Carolina; grandchildren, Shannon Bousselaire (Michael), Wendi Hughes (Nathan), Sarah Streicker, Daniel Streicker, and Lauren Grimmer (Ken); and great-grandchildren, Dylan, Hannah, Carter, and Fielding Hughes and Jason and Grace Bousselaire; a sister, Barbara Ann Wood of Frisco, Texas; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 20, 2018 in the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Burial will follow, with military honors, at Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hanover Manor, 809 Thompson Street, Ashland, VA 23005 or Bon Secours Community Hospice House, 1133 Old Bon Air Road, Richmond, VA 23225. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Visitation Details

Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 1:00pm - 2:00pm, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small

Service Information

Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 2:00pm, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small

Interment Details

Blandford Cemetery