He was born in Burlington, NC, on December 25th, 1927. He was the son of Sheffield Horace Abell of Richland, GA, and Ruby Marie Oldham Abell of Elon College, NC.
Mr. Abell was reared in Yanceyville, NC in Caswell County. He became fascinated with radios as a teenager, took correspondence courses, and soon opened a small radio-repair shop in his home.
When he graduated from Bartlett Yancey High School, he entered the United States Navy and served during peacetime following WWII. While in the Navy, he met and married his wife of 57 years, Elinore Irene Smith of Audenreid, PA.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he attended and obtained a degree from Elon College. Mr. Abell was employed by Western Auto and Top Value Stamp companies during his business lifetime, and he lived, at various times, in Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
He returned to North Carolina as a widower and has lived in Statesville for the past several years. He doted on his beloved canine companion, Lui, was an avid reader, and enjoyed eating out at various restaurants. Previous hobbies included trout fishing in Arkansas and metal detecting.
He was predeceased by his parents and his wife. He is survived by one sister, Jean Marie (Tom) Glass of Wilkesboro, NC, one brother, James Curtis (Pat) Abell of Statesville, a son, David Curtis (Ann) Abell of St. Simons Island, GA, and a daughter, Judie Anne (Vijaya) Sigdel, of New York City.
Mr. Abell was a devout Presbyterian.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Meeting Street, Statesville, NC 28677. The family will receive friends in the church parlor one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Donations in his name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to one’s charity of choice.
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Mr. Abell.
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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105
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