The Life and Legacy

Eddie Dean Abney was born on June 21, 1938, in Canton, Texas, to Angeline Nelson and Ivison Abney, Sr. At his passing, he had lived to be 85 years old. He proudly graduated from Burnett High School in Terrell, Texas, and served in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Germany. In 1964, he married the love of his life, Bernice Abney. They spent 50 years together and enjoyed raising a family, traveling the world, and helping family members find jobs, places to stay, and any support needed to help them get on their feet. He was always there to provide wise counsel and was considered the patriarch of his family.

As a devout man, Mr. Eddie Abney loved the Lord wholeheartedly. He enjoyed singing and praying, with his favorite gospel song being "My Soul Has Been Anchored in the Lord." His daughters fondly remember him praying on his knees every night before bed. In his later years, he often reassured them not to worry, saying that "the good Lord will take good care of him."

An active member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church (SJMBC) in Dallas, Texas, where Pastor Bertrain Bailey serves as the senior pastor, Mr. Eddie Abney served on the Trustee Board, was a member of the Male Chorus and Usher Board, participated in the Bowling League, and was an avid Sunday School attendee. On the Trustee Board, he oversaw the Building & Grounds Committee, leading several major projects including the replacement of the roof and pews in the sanctuary, church columns, HVAC units, and the repair of pipe damage caused by a major ice storm.

After 40 years of service, Mr. Eddie Abney retired from Texas Instruments (TI) as a Procurement Specialist. He took great pride in the technology TI created and its benefits to society.

Lastly, Mr. Eddie Abney loved the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, and Texas Rangers. He stressed the importance of going to college and obtaining a degree.  He had an entrepreneurial spirit and once formed a cleaning company along with two of his brothers, Charles and Ivision Abney, Jr.  At the  company, ECI Maintenance Company, they were able to employ their nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice Abney, parents, Ivison Abney, Sr. and Angeline Abney, and siblings Johnny Abney, Ivison Abney, Jr., Acie Pryor, Linda Hulett, Chester Abney, and George Ray Abney.

Mr. Eddie Abney is survived by his daughters, Felecia Peters (married to Ronell Peters) and Dr. Angela Herron (married to Algernon Herron), and his six grandchildren: Isaiah Peters (Los Angeles, CA), Victoria Peters, Daniel Peters, Ellis Herron, Ethan Herron, and Evan Herron. He also leaves behind his siblings Charles Abney, Pam Carroll, and Marcellus Abney, his sister-in-law Iree Stratford (married to the late Ivison Abney, Jr.), along with a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

In closing, we remember his favorite quote, often shared with his daughters and grandchildren: "If you can't be good, do good. If you can't do good, be good."