Paul James (Jim) Abernathy

Paul James Abernathy (Jim), age 60, of Roswell, GA, died on Sunday, October 23, 2011. Jim, a sixth generation descendant of the Abernathy family who settled on Abernathy Road in Sandy Springs, GA, fought a long, hard, and courageous five year battle with colon cancer. After diagnosis, he journaled on the website “CaringBridge” his honest feelings and thoughts about this most difficult journey of his life. He was most thankful and very appreciative of the many friends who loved, cared, and prayed for him. Born in Atlanta, GA, to parents Paul and Eugenia Brown Abernathy, Jim grew up in Sandy Springs, moving to the Crabapple Community, Alpharetta at the beginning of his sophomore year at Milton High School. An active participant in many activities at Milton, Jim made long-term friendships that still exist today. After graduation from Georgia Tech his career ultimately took him to work in Saudi Arabia, England, Atlanta, Egypt, Texas and thirteen years in Manama, Bahrain. Jim’s inquisitive nature and adventuresome spirit led him to travel with his family to far off places in the world. A talented pianist he loved music, as well as golfing and working in his workshop. His most passionate hobby was sailing which he was able to blend with a business in SailTime, Atlanta. Jim intensively loved his immediate family; also, the members of his close-knit extended family. An important factor of his life was that he was a generous giver of his time and talents to many friends, family, and causes. After the death of his first wife, Nancy Anderson Abernathy, a Crabapple girl and high school sweetheart, he returned to his job in Bahrain. There, he married Hazar Al Shater, and they returned to the United States settling in the Roswell area. They have one child. Jim is predeceased by his first wife, Nancy; his father, Paul J. Abernathy, and an infant brother, Andrew Mark Abernathy. Jim is survived by his wife, Hazar Al Shater Abernathy; son, Sami Jameson Al Shater Abernathy; son, Phillip Jason and wife, Karen Abernathy; their three children Amelia, Alice, and Nicolas Abernathy, all of Seaford, VA; son, P. J. Anderson (Andy) Abernathy, Atlanta; mother, Eugenia Brown Abernathy, Alpharetta; sisters, Paula A. Kirk, Roswell, GA and Bridgeport, WV; Mary E. Abernathy, Roswell, Amy A. Dobson, Alpharetta; brother, Lawrence and wife, Kathy Abernathy, Alpharetta; four nephews, Joel W. Kirk; Mathew Dobson, Michael and Mark Abernathy; and two nieces, Jeannie Kirk Dent and Megan A. Yim. Extended family includes father-in-law Abdulrahman Al Shater, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews in Manama, Bahrain; as well as a host of loving, caring friends all over the world. The family will receive visitors at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, Roswell, GA, on Friday, October 28, 2011 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held in the Chapel at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2011. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org/donate in loving memory of Jim Abernathy.

Paul James (Jim) Abernathy

June 15, 1951 - October 23, 2011