Jackson "Jack" Hardin Abernathy, 70, of Hawkinsville, GA, died September 7, 2007 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 3 P.M., Sunday, September 9, 2007 in the chapel of Clark Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Gary Abbott and Rev. John Walker officiating. Burial will be in Orange Hill Cemetery. Mr. Abernathy was a native of Clarksville, Tennessee and a member of the Hawkinsville First United Methodist Church. He graduated from Hawkinsville High School in 1954, and attended Middle Georgia College. He was a Navy veteran and served as Hawkinsville, Georgia City Clerk Judge for 25 years. - Survivors include his brother, John S. (Linda) Holland of Hawkinsville; special nephew, Edwin (Kaye) Market of Warner Robins, GA; nephew, Lanny (Linda) Abernathy of Waycross, GA; nieces, Joni Standish of Panama City, FL, Miriam Cely of Evans, GA, Natalie Proffitt of Hawkinsville, GA, Sharon Hartsfield of Americus, GA, Julie Market of Ashburn, GA; special cousins, Iris Owen of Unadilla, GA, Lucille Smith of Nashville, GA; Frank Smith of Tampa, FL; special aunt, Ruth Grinstead of Hawkinsville, GA; sister-in-law, Tita Abernathy of Valdosta, GA; and special friends, John Henry Anderson and Dora Anderson of Hawkinsville, GA. The family can be contacted at the Abernathy residence in Hawkinsville, GA. Clrak Funeral Home, Hawkinsville, GA in charge of arrangements.

While attending Middle Georgia College, Jack was in a tragic diving accident at the college, which left him paralyzed from the shoulders down for the rest of his life. Jack's courage and faith in God brought him through a near-death experience, and his divine inspiration influenced his family, friends, and community. Jack was a brilliant and caring man who will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Cause of death: cancer