Janet “Jan” Abernathy of Bland, Missouri was born on May 18, 1949 in Washington, Missouri to Dora Elvin and Flora Fanny (Willson) Humphrey and passed away on Nov. 5, 2025 at the age of 76 years.
She 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 married Jerry Don Abernathy at the Antioch Christian Church in Leslie, Missouri.
She worked at the Southwestern Bell Company in Union, Missouri for a number of years. She enjoyed being on her farm, growing plants, gardens, raising chickens, dogs, goats, cows and other animals. Jan liked cooking, canning what she grew in her garden and sewing.
Later in life she made a special friend, Thomas Laycock, who she enjoyed spending time with and going dancing with.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jerry; 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 special friend, Thomas Laycock.
She is survived by three sons, Paul Abernathy and wife Tammy of Bland, Missouri, Scot Abernathy and girlfriend Mary of Bland, Missouri and Todd Abernathy and fiancé Jennifer of Grey Summit, Missouri; six grandchildren, Lorna, Nicholas, Gage, Katlynn, J.D. and Gabe; one brother, Roy Humphrey and wife Joyce of Cuba, Missouri; two sisters, Marilyn Luechtefeld of Vienna, Missouri and Jane Luechtefeld of Beaufort, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Arlene Humphrey; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at Sassmann's Chapel in Belle, Missouri.
Funeral service was held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at Sassmann's Chapel in Belle, Missouri.
Interment followed at Francis Cemetery in Belle, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Sassmann's Chapel in Belle, Missouri.
