Nora Janet "Jan" Abernathy

Janet “Jan” Abernathy, age 76, of Bland, passed away on November 5, 2025 at her residence.

She was born on May 18, 1949, in Washington, one daughter of seven children born to the late Dora Elvin and Flora Fanny (Willson) Humphrey.

Jan was a 1967 graduate of Union High School and attended the East Central College in Union where she studied horticulture. She had the ability to identify almost any plant she saw and passed that information on to her family and friends. Jan read her bible daily was a strong Christian and her faith in God was strong.

On June 18, 1967, she was united in marriage to Jerry Don Abernathy in Leslie at the Antioch Christian Church. Jerry preceded her in death on April 6, 2004.

Jan worked at the Southwestern Belle Company in Union for a number of years. Afterwards, she enjoyed being on her farm growing plants, gardens, raising chickens, dogs, goats, cows and numerous other animals. Jan liked to stay active cooking, canning what she grew in her garden, and sewing among other things. She sewed her own wedding dress and was very talented seamstress. Later in life she made a special friend, Thomas Laycock, who she enjoyed spending time with and going dancing with. Above all, Jan loved time spent with family. She will be missed greatly by those that knew and loved her.

Jan is survived by: three sons, Paul Abernathy and his wife Tammy of Bland, Scot Abernathy and his girlfriend Mary of Bland, and Todd Abernathy and his fiancé Jennifer of Grey Summit; six grandchildren, Lorna, Nicholas, Gage, Katlynn, J.D., and Gabe; one brother, Roy Humphrey and his wife Joyce of Cuba; two sisters, Marilyn Luechtefeld of Vienna and Jane Luechtefeld of Beaufort; and one sister-in-law Arlene Humphrey as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

In addition to her parents and her husband Jerry, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Robert Humphrey, Harold Humphrey, William Humphrey, and an infant brother, James Raymond Humphrey; sisters-in-law, Thea Humphrey and Janet Humphrey, brothers-in-laws, Norbert and Don Luechtefeld, and her special friend Thomas Laycock.