Elizabeth Abernathy

Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Abernathy passed away on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at Four Corners Health Care in Durango, Colorado. She was 84. A service will be held at Pine Valley Church in Bayfield, Colorado on Saturday October 4, 2014 at 10:00 am with interment to follow at Pine River Cemetery.
Mrs. Abernathy was born April 1, 1930 in Nevada, Missouri the daughter of Vernon and Miriam Robins. She was one of two children. Her daddy always said that, “she was the best April fool’s day joke mamma ever played on him.” They had moved to the Bayfield area when she was 3 years old and lived there until her death.
Betty graduated from Bayfield High School in 1948. That same spring she met and fell in love with William (Bill) Abernathy. In December of 1948 they eloped to Aztec, NM and were married on New Year’s Eve. Betty and Bill lived in the Bayfield area and ran Abernathy’s Care Home for 27 years, until Bill’s death in November of 1997. Betty then sold the care home and moved into the town of Bayfield.
Betty was always active in the community and with the clubs and events. The last several years her attention was focused on the Senior Center in Bayfield and the Historical museum, both of which she loved dearly. She loved knitting, crocheting and making large afghans to share with friends and family. Her greatest passion was for her family above all else.
Betty is survived by her sons Jerry Abernathy of Bayfield, CO and Danny Abernathy of Pinedale, Wyoming, nine grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Abernathy, daughters Robin Abernathy Sharp and Miriam Abernathy Wilson and sister as well her best friend, Martha Jane Sauer.
She will always be loved by those in the community that knew her and remembered her for her colorful seasonal dress and hats. Betty and Bill left a legacy of caring for others that will always be remembered.