Abernathy Bates age 89, passed from this life Sunday April 3, 2011. He was born July 7, 1921 to Lillie and Joe Bates of McKinney, Texas. He had been living the last two years of his life at the Pavilion in Portland, Texas. He had been a resident of Portland since he moved there in 1965 to work as business administrator for GPISD. Abernathy attended and graduated school at Princeton, Texas. He received his B.S. from East Texas State Teachers College in 1942. While attending college he met the love of his life, Juanice. They met while working in the school's cafeteria. Juanice and Abernathy were the perfect example of a loving devoted marriage. They were married after his discharge from the US Navy in 1946. Abernathy received officer's training at Columbia University in New York. He served aboard the USS Arkansas as a Lieutenant. He was a communications officer. He was on bridge assisting the Captain on D-Day. Abernathy and Juanice lived in Corpus Christi, Texas after his discharge from the Navy. He worked for Corpus Christi ISD and in business and bookkeeping in town. He earned his Masters at Texas A&I Kingsville, Texas.

Abernathy was preceded in death by his wife Juanice Bates.

He is survived by his sister Sue (Delbert) Kindle of Grand Saline, Texas, daughter Amy Sue Goldsmith and a caring son-in-law Michael Goldsmith. Abernathy was the loving 'Papa' of two grandsons, Joe (Ester) Goldsmith and Avery (Morgan) Goldsmith. Abernathy loved his devoted double-cousin Earl Bates Jr (Phyllis) of Farmersville, Texas.

Abernathy was truly a gentleman. He was a member of the Portland Church of Christ in Portland, Texas. Abernathy loved God, family and country. He was a true patriot and supporter of veterans. He taught his family in his daily living about God and his Word and the beauty of all nature and the love of music. He had a passion for gardening. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.

The family would like to thank all who prayed for him, visited him and brought him food. Thank You, Pavilion staff for making him feel loved in his new home. A very special thank you to Clare Gilmore and Lighthouse Hospice. Your compassionate care saw us through to a better place. We love and appreciate you and the kind caregivers at Angel Bright Hospice who gave such beautiful care until he passed from this life.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 .M., Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the Limbaugh Funeral Home in Portland, Texas. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 A.M., Friday, April 8, 2011 at the Limbaugh Funeral Home. Interment to follow at the Palms Memorial Gardens.