Julia Weathers Abell

JULIA WEATHERS ABELL Julia Weathers Abell died Saturday, December 20, 2003, at the age of 96. She was born in LaFayette, Kentucky February 25, 1907. At the age of eight she moved to Hopkinsville, Kentucky with her parents, Edward LaFayette Weathers and Julia Purcell Weathers. Her father served as President of the First City Bank and Trust Company, and was President of the Kentucky Bankers Association, 1940-1941. Julia attended Bethel College in Hopkinsville, and in 1928 became the bride of Joseph Miles Abell. The couple made their home in Houston from 1928 until they moved to Austin in 1983. Mr. Abell preceded her in death in 1987. As a resident of Houston for 55 years, Mrs. Abell was always active in projects for Catholic Charities, including serving on boards and committees for the St. Anthony Retirement Home, and working for the establishment of a retirement home for priests of the Galveston/Houston Diocese. Like so many women of “The Greatest Generation,” she worked tirelessly with the Red Cross throughout WWII. Mrs. Abell is survived by two sons, Dr. Joseph Miles Abell, Jr. and his wife Mary of Austin, and Reverend Edward Weathers Abell of Houston, grandchildren Joseph Miles Abell, III and wife Melinda, David Weathers Abell, Catherine Abell Gleason and husband Tom, Julia Abell Merritt and husband Randy, John Graham Abell, James Edward Abell, and seven great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Joe, David, John, and James and her grandsons-in-law, Tom Gleason and Randy Merritt. The family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 23, 2003 at St. Mary’s Seminary, 9845 Memorial Drive, Houston followed by the Mass of Resurrection at 1:00 P.M. directed by Earthman Funeral Home, J. B. Earthman-Tanglewood, Houston. In lieu of the usual remembrances, those desiring may make memorial contributions to St. Mary’s Seminary, 9845 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77024