L. Wayne Abernathy

L. Wayne Abernathy age 80 of Lula passed away Saturday November 24, 2018 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Wayne was born April 1, 1938 in Gainesville to the late Henry Franklin & Mazie Lawrence Abernathy. He began his life-work at Georgia Chair and then moved to Chicopee Manufacturing.  He also worked with Jack Prince Corporation where he invented and patented a deboning machine that was sold nationally and internationally.  Later he would purchase Diane Foods which became Diago Mexican Foods.  He was the owner/operator of Diago until he sold to Mission Foods.  After retirement he opened Eagle’s Nest Pottery in Cleveland and Gainesville.  He was on his 37th year of being a member of the Board of Public Safety with the State of Georgia.  He served under five Governors.  He was named Small Businessman of the year in 1984.  He served as Governmental Relations Chairman of Gainesville Junior College Board, Lanier Tech Board and East Hall High VOT Board. 
 
Wayne is known as “Buddy” to his grandchildren.  He attended Victory Baptist Church.  He loved his country, his family and had a passion for woodworking.  Most of all he loved the Lord, reading his Bible with little Ruby in the mornings and was very concerned about where his friends and family would spend eternity. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Margaret Poore & Bernice Tritt, brothers, John Henry Abernathy & Ralph Abernathy.

Survivors include, wife of 63 years & prankster partner, Ruby Abernathy, son & daughter in law, John Wayne & Wendi Abernathy, daughter, Denise Smith, daughter & son in law, Gay & Rev. Scott Waters, grandchildren, Kacee (Tim) Criddle, Amy Smith (Cory Tucker), Renee (Chris) Porter, Matthew (Betsy) Waters, Ryan Waters, Lauren Abernathy (Nick Rouadi), great grandchildren, Elijah Thompson, Alivia Criddle, Madison Criddle, Jacob Criddle, Jace Waters & soon to be Watson Porter. Close special friend, Dennis Brown, a number of nieces & nephews & other relatives also survive. 

The family will receive friends from 5-8 Monday November 26, 2018 at Ivie Funeral Home in Commerce and again from 12 Noon until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday November 27, 2018 at Victory Baptist Church in Gainesville.

Funeral services will be held 2 P.M. Tuesday November 27, 2018 at the Victory Baptist Church in Gainesville with Rev. Scott Waters & Colonel Mark McDonough from the Georgia State Patrol officiating. Burial will follow in the Gillsville Cemetery.

The Georgia State Patrol Honor Guard will be Pallbearers & The Georgia State Board of Public Safety will serve as Honorary Pallbearers whom he loved dearly.

Mr. Abernathy will lie in state from Noon until 2p.m. at the church on Tuesday.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.iviefuneralhomecommerce.com

Arrangements are in the care of Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce.