ABSTON, SAM, age 83, of Alabaster, died Friday, January 14, 2005. He was a native of Brookwood and grew up in Jonesboro, where he attended Bessemer High School and was drum major of the band. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in accounting and was also drum major of the University's Million Dollar Band. Afterward, he joined the accounting department of U.S. Steel Corp. and retired in 1986 after 45 years of service. His last position was manager of the computer systems for the company's southeastern region.

He was a member of Helena United Methodist Church, serving on its administrative board and finance committee and also teaching a Sunday school class. Abston was lay director of the Sylacauga District of the North Alabama Conference and had represented his church at Annual Conference sessions of the North Alabama Conference. He also was a representative to the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference.

Abston was active in the Walk to Emmaus. His other interest was the Kairos Prison Ministry. He led Bible studies at Donaldson Correctional Facility and visited with inmates on death row for nearly 15 years. And sometimes, prisoners asked Abston to be with them at their executions at Holman Prison.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret; a son, Sam Abston II, of Alabaster; two daughters, Sue Abston, of Bessemer, and Merry Sears, of Alabaster; and six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Family visitation will be Monday from 10 a.m. until the 1 p.m. funeral at Helena United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the building fund of Helena United Methodist Church in Abston's name. Brown Service, Bessemer directing.

Birmingham News (AL) - Sunday, January 16, 2005
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Birmingham News (Alabama) 16 January 2005, obit for ABSTON, SAM, GenealogyBank.com