Virginia Abernathy Wade

Virginia Ellen Abernathy Howard Wade, 84, passed from this life into life eternal with her Savior Jesus Christ at her residence, Superior Residences of Niceville, FL on 15-August-2024.

She was born on 15-June-1940 to Eulie W. Abernathy and Lula M. (Barnes) Abernathy in Fayette County, AL.  Virginia graduated in the of the Class of 1958 from Fayette County High School.  She married Amon A. Howard in 1959, until his passing in 1988.  Then she married Ralph B. Wade, Sr. in 1991.  

During her lifetime, Virginia worked in various manufacturing plants in and around Fayette, the Fayette Elementary and Fayette High School lunch rooms, then retiring from the Fayette Cotton Mill in 1991 to remarry and move to Florida.  

She loved to sew, quilt, tat, bobbin lace, and tried other crafts to learn something new.  Loving gardening (always canning and freezing), Virginia loved to cook as well.  She also had a love of music and loved to sing in choirs and quartets throughout her life.  

After Ralph retired, they developed a love for travel.  They traveled to various European countries, Australia, New Zealand, China, and various Central and South American countries, as well as Alaska and other parts of the United States.  Virginia loved her family, friends, fur babies, and loved ones, and loved a good laugh, but most of all, she loved her Church (Rosemont Baptist Church in Niceville, FL) and loved her Savior.  

She is survived by her husband, Ralph B. Wade, Sr. of Niceville, FL; sons: Glenn Howard of Niceville, FL, Terry (Marklyn) Wade of Shalimar, FL, and Greg (Lisa) Wade of Niceville, FL;  sister, Mary McCarley of Samantha, AL; sisters-in-law, Carol Abernathy of Fayette, AL, and Ruby Coleman of Apache Junction, AZ; brother-in-law, Delbert Cargile of Holly Pond, AL; daughter-in-law, Gayle Wade of Valparaiso, FL; grandsons, Ralph B. (Kara) Wade, III, Shawn (Natalie) Wade, and Paul Wade; granddaughter, Jennifer Wade (Ali Sirusi); great-grandchildren, Braxton Wade, Carson Wade, Joplin Botelho-Wade, Derek Wade, and Jackson Sirusi; several nieces and nephews; and her fur-babies, Madison and Max.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Eulie W. Abernathy and Lula M. (Barnes) Abernathy; husband, Amon A. Howard; sister, Alice Cargile; brothers, Monroe and Clayton Abernathy; son, Ralph B. Wade, Jr., and in-laws: Gilbert McCarley, Erdeal and Grant Latham, Bernice and Grady Kizzire, Robin Cargile, Bobby and Gail Wade, Dink and Francis Pitts, Arnie and Betty Thayer, and John Coleman.  

Visitation and Funeral Services will be held at the Nelson Funeral Home in Fayette, Alabama on Saturday, 24-August-2024.  Visitation will be from 10:30 AM until 12:00 PM. Funeral Services will start at 12:00 PM with graveside to follow at the Chapel Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Fayette County, Alabama.

In lieu of floral tributes, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association in your local area, an animal rescue in your area, or the charity of your choice.

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