On February 7, 2020 Edith Myrlean (Manning) Abernethy went home to be with our Lord and Savior.  She was the daughter of Eli and Emma Manning (deceased), loving wife of Richard H. Abernethy (deceased), devoted and caring mother of Keith D. Abernethy (Cynthia G. Abernethy), Rhonda L. (Abernethy) Cenci (Roland A. Cenci), Phyllis A. (Abernethy) Mueller, Lisa D. (Abernethy) Moore (Matthew S. Moore); Loving Grandmother of Lauren A. (Cenci) Storm, Daniel M. Cenci, Sarah A. (Moore) Gennusa, Ian T. Mueller, and Megan M. Moore; Great Grandmother of Austin T. Storm, Kaylee T. Storm, A Jadon Cenci, and Mary Emma P. Cenci.

Myrlean was a North Carolina native, graduate and class valedictorian of Leggett High School (class of 1951) and raised with love along with her 9 brothers and sisters on their Edgecombe County farm.  She was a faithful servant of the Lord. Following her marriage to Richard at Grace Episcopal Church, they settled in Baltimore, MD were she deeply cared for her family, raising four children. Always active in her church, she taught Sunday School for many years and also worked for Baltimore County Schools, assisting on the kindergarten level.  Her kindness, patience, love and gentle spirit will be missed by many.  She returned to her home town in her latter years and now enters eternal life following a long battle with Alzheimer's.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, February 12th at Carlisle Funeral Home (Tarboro, NC) from 7 to 9 PM. Service of Christian burial, and celebration of life, will be held on Thursday, February 13th at 10 AM  at the Saint Mary's Episcopal Church (Speed, NC), followed by an internment service at Grace Episcopal Church (Lawrence, NC).

In lieu of flowers, donations to the historic Grace Episcopal Church Memorial Fund would be greatly appreciated by the family. Donations may be sent to: Grace Episcopal Church Memorial Fund c/o Karen (Manning) Johnson, 77 Bass Lane, Tarboro, NC  27886