The Rev. N.D. “Nat” Abernathy, 87, of Center Road, Cartersville, died Friday, October 12, 2001.

Rev. Abernathy was born May 23, 1914, in Cherokee County, a son of the late Will Abernathy and Annie Blackburn Abernathy.

He was a former deacon and former pastor of the Center Baptist Church where he became a member in 1945, and was a heavy equipment contractor and operator.

Preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Howell Abernathy, he is survived by his children, Ted Howell of West Columbus, South Carolina, Douglas Abernathy of Cartersville and Deborah Herndon of Cartersville; nine grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren; sisters Eliza Keever of Cartersville and Lillian Millsapps of Cumming, a number of nieces and nephews including a special nephews and best friend, Lewis Tidwell.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Abernathy and a grandson, Danny Howell.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 14, 2001, from the Center Baptist Church with the Revs Sammy Adams, Rex Cox, Dewey Atchley and Lamar Beason officiating.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be David Howell, Charles Twiggs, Charles Greenway, Jerry Bennett, Mark Hill and Kevin _____.

[NOTES: Even though he is buried at Center Baptist Church Cemetery, Nat acted as the caretaker for the Old Macedonia Cemetery for many years.  The monument near the entrance to the cemetery is dedicated to his memory.]