Grace E. Abel

On Sunday morning, JESUS called home, Grace E. Abel, 86, 701 Barton Street, one of his 'Good and Faithful Servants'? to claim her reward in HEAVEN that she longed for her entire life. Our little 'Amazing'? Grace closed her eyes while surrounded by her loving family on Sunday morning, November 4, 2007. Grace was a faithful 'Pastors wife'? for over 30 years. She always served JESUS first and supported her husband Gilbert, their churches and family above everything in life. Mrs. Abel was a Sullivan County native and had lived most of her life in Johnson City. She was a daughter of the late Loda O. and Jeanette Miller Smith. Mrs. Abel was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Gilbert Abel, one son, Gerald Michael Abel, one brother, Reverend Leonard Smith and one sister, Evelyn Schilling. She was a member of Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church, the Order of the Eastern Star and served as a Sunday School teacher for over 25 years. She was a graduate of Science Hill High School. Mrs. Abel was survived by two sons, Larry Abel and his wife Linda, Johnson City, Pastor Terry Abel and his wife, Connie, Johnson City; one daughter, Judy Broyles, Johnson City; six grandchildren, Lisa Broyles Jubenville and her husband, Doug, Lake Wylie, SC, Larry Abel, Jr. and his wife, Lisa, Bristol, TN, Deanna Abel Johnson, Elizabethton, Joy Abel Scalf and her husband, Tommy, Johnson City, Hannah Abel, Johnson City and her fiancée Jason Turan, Rebekah Abel, Johnson City and Maura Wilson, Bristol, TN; four great grandchildren, Kelsey Johnson, Lauren Jubenville, Keaton Johnson and Payton Jubenville and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service for Mrs. Abel will be conducted at 8 PM Wednesday, November 7, 2007 from the Morris-Baker Funeral Home South Chapel. Pastor Terry Abel and Reverend Randy Johnson will officiate. Graveside services will be held at 11 AM Thursday, November 8, 2007 at Monte Vista Memorial Park. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the funeral home at 10:30 AM and travel in procession to the cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Gary Smith, Byrl Clark, John McDonnell, Jason Turan, Tommy Scalf and Doug Jubenville. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Abel Jr., Robert Schilling, Reverend Bill Greer, Reverend Jonas Revis, her nieces and nephews, members of Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church, Rich Acres Free Will Baptist Church, Bible Mission Church, Second Avenue Baptist Church, Keystone Free Will Baptist Church, McKinley Memorial Bible Church, Woodby Hill Free Will Baptist Church and all other Church families she held dear to her heart. The family will receive friends from 5-8 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. We would like to express a special thanks to Judy Deloach and her loving and caring staff at Ivy Hall Nursing Home and Adventa Hospice for all the special care they have given our precious mother for the past year. We would also like to express our thanks to Mary Bowlin, Charlotte Davidson, Judy Deakins, and Jackie Freeman for providing care for our mother allowing her to remain in her home for so many extra years. In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to your church building fund.