Opal Gause Abbott

Carrie Opal Gause Abbott, 88, completed her earthly journey Thursday, November 7, 2013, after several years of declining health.She is now in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Opal was the youngest of 10 children of Jesse Robert and Carrie Lula Carraway Gause and the last living member of her immediate family.She was born October 20, 1925, in Florence County and grew up in the New Hope section of Coward, SC. She graduated from J. C. Lynch High School, where she played basketball and was a member of Beta Club.After graduation she moved to Charleston, for a short time, where she worked at the naval ship yard.Upon returning to Florence, she met her future husband, James Raymond Abbott, Jr., and married him in Darlington, SC on April 15, 1949. She attended a local Methodist church as a youth and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1942.In 1954, she and her husband J.R. began attending Southside Baptist Church in Florence.In 1958, she joined the fellowship at Southside, where she began her lifelong journey of serving her Lord and Savior through various positions within the church, including director of the children’s department, Sunday School teacher, girls’ GA assistant, church clerk, and interim church secretary for several of the church’s pastors.She also was head coordinator for the church prayer chain ministry for many years.Desiring to serve others, nothing brought her more joy than to help others in their times of need. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed making clothes for others and herself.Baking, growing African violets, having her family around her, and talking with her Lord while she worked in her yard also brought her peace and comfort.Her wonderful sense of humor and ever-present smile gave joy to everyone she met. Opal worked at several businesses through the years, including Sears Roebuck and Co., Southern Cotton Oil, The Jewel Box, Dixie Radio, Canada Dry Bottling Co., and Palmetto Tire Service. Those left to carry on her legacy are her daughter, Kay Abbott Stewart, her husband Lee, Hartsville; and her sons, James Robert (Bob) Abbott, his wife CarolJean, Hartsville, Larry Russell Abbott, his wife Mary, Florence; and Dennis Clifford Abbott, his wife Cheri, Charlotte, N.C., as well as a special niece, Lucille “Bunny” Traylor, Friendswood, TX; and nephew Arnold Gause, Greenwood; and 8 additional nephews and nieces. Also, three grandchildren: Hampton Price Abbott, Caleb Parker Abbott, and James Robert (Beau) Abbott II, Charlotte, N.C.; seven step-grandchildren:Kim (Brian) Cox, Hope (Chris) Bailey, Florence; Chip Moore, Marion; Tommy McCants, Kingstree; Emily (Stephen) Hamilton, Summerville; Andrew Stewart, Greenville; and Katie (Ronnie) Winburn, Hartsville; fourteen step-great grandchildren, and three step-great-great grandchildren as well as a host of friends and neighbors. The family would like to extend its appreciation and gratitude to the nursing staff at Heritage Nursing Home for the care that was shown to Mom during her time with them.Special thanks are given to Traci Gowdy, Debra Cooper and Bernetha Johnson for their special attention, care and loving affection for “Ms. Opal”. The family asks that remembrances be made to the building fund for Southside Baptist Church, 307 West Richbourg Lane, Florence, SC29505. Funeral services will be at 11 o’clock Saturday, November 9, 2013, Southside Baptist Church, Florence, with the Rev. Jim Crooks and Rev. Jay Perez officiating. Family visitation will be conducted one hour before the service.Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Florence, directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home.