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Mrs. Gracie M. Abbott, a long-time resident of Rockingham County, NC, died Wednesday the 8th of December 2016 at Moses Cone Medical Center in Greensboro, NC.

Born in 1944 in Reidsville, NC, as a child, she moved to Baltimore, MD where she lived until her pre-teen years. She returned to Reidsville where she was educated in the Rockingham County Public School system.

She had various careers in the textile industry and as a substitute elementary school teacher. After many years, she left the workforce to become a stay-at-home mother to her three daughters and homemaker. She remained an avid member of the church community, which included being a member of the Usher Board and Planning Board until her health deteriorated. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Her eldest daughter, Juanita, followed in her footsteps to become a member as well. She joined in community service projects with her husband, Mr. Curtis Abbott, a member of The Free Masons Lodge in Virginia.

Gracie loved gardening, where she would gather her crops and share with neighbors and friends. She enjoyed good food and cooking, especially passing on her southern recipes to her eldest daughter. She enjoyed going to the beach, visiting the NC mountains, the Amish country in Pennsylvania, Niagara Falls, and visiting family and friends in New Jersey. Traveling to Florida and Disney World was an annual trip she would make for greater than two decades with her family and grandchildren. She loved socializing with family and friends and sharing her love of shopping with her daughters. She loved to boast about the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She had a wonderful smile that could light up a room. She always prayed for the best for all the people she knew and loved.

She was married for almost a half century to the love of her life, her husband, Mr. Curtis Venson Abbott. She is survived by her daughters Juanita (eldest daughter and caretaker), Anya-Michelle (William Waddell), and Latoya (Gerome Burke), grandchildren Bradley, Brittany, and Brooke Waddell, brother Freddie McCain (Mildred), brother in law Robert Abbott, sister in law Hannah Abbott and many more friends and loved ones.

McLaurin Funeral Home in Reidsville, NC has been entrusted with arrangements. Service will be on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 2:00pm at Sunny Home Missionary Baptist Church. Viewing will be held at 1:30pm. Burial services will take place at Spring Grove Missionary Baptist Church.