Informant: M.F. Gibson of Lufkin, Texas

Obituary in The Lufkin Daily News, Dec. 8, 1933

(courtesy of Judy Murphy)

PAUL C. ABNEY DIES AT HUNTSVILLE LAST EVENING 7 O'CLOCK

While the worst was feared following the announcement yesterday morning of the serious illness of Paul Abney in the hospital at Huntsville, the news of his death last night at 7 o'clock was in the nature of a great shock to the city where the deceased was born and attained young manhood, and where all of his useful life of 45 years had been spent.

The deceased was the son of the late Mr. & Mrs. W. A. Abney, two of the best known and highly esteemed citizens of Lufkin and Angelina county, and was born October 28, 1888, being at the time of his death 45 years, one month and nine days. He attended the schools of Angelina county throughout his boyhood days. Became associated with his father in the grain and feed business, later accepting a position with the firm of Swift and Company, of which corporation he was a highly valued employee for the past 21 years.

Lufkin and Angelina county never possessed a more upright and honorable citizen than Paul Abney, one whose reputation for integrity and sterling worth was a byword in the mouths of his friends and associates, and whose long service with the corporation he allied himself with early in life was a fitting attestation of their appreciation of his popularity as a salesman and worth as a man in the true sense of the word.

Mr. Abney is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ethel Abney; brothers, W. A. and Jim, both of Lufkin; a large number of relatives throughout the city and elsewhere, and friends that included the management of virtually every grocery store throughout that section of East Texas covered by this likable personage.

The services were held from the Methodist church this afternoon at __ o'clock, with the remains lying in state from 3:30 to that hour. The Masons had charge of the funeral with the services being conducted by Rev. V. A. Godbey, life long friend of the deceased, and Rev. J. V. Berglund, pastor of the local Methodist church. Paul had been a member of this church since early boyhood and was a highly regarded member of the Masonic lodge, which organization had taken him into its folds shortly after his attaining __ estate.

Active pallbearers consisted of E. W. Leach, R. S. Philen, Curtis W. Fenley, Brownie Bonner, C. A. Burke and C. C. Trevathan.

Honorary pallbearers included Harry Bowers, Austin Brookshire, R. A. Kennedy, Spencer Thompson, W. A. O'Quinn, M. M. Moore (Houston), Mr. Cheek (Livingston), R. T. Canon, Bill Lawless, Matt Walker, M. M. McMullen, Ulen Medford, Mr. Mauer (Swift & Co.), Norman Belk, Mr. Chastain (Huntsville), Tom Bledsoe, Kenneth Hoskins, Harry Abram, H. J. Shands, Duncan Warren and D. C. Lock.

Lufkin has lost a splendid citizen in the death of Paul Abney, for he was a law-abiding, home-loving, and while modest and retiring, was possessed of that sterling manhood that enabled him to take a stand for thing that were right and just, while the deep love borne him by his brothers and their wives and the tender devotion of an idolizing wife were testimonials to the tender characteristics of a man who never had ought than good to say of his fellowman. His passing has left an aching void that can never be filled in the hearts and affections of those he has left behind.