Ruth "Elayne" Crozier Abnathy, 91, was called home on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. She was born and reared in Charleston. One of seven children born to Barbara Davis Crozier and Britton Brightwood Crozier, she grew up on Charleston's West Side. Early in life she was baptized at Ebenezer Baptist Church, and later found her final church home at First Baptist Church.
Elayne was a member of the Garnet High School Class of 1942. After graduation, she was united in marriage with George Thomas Abnathy, Jr. Two children were born of this union. Although married with two children, she was strongly influenced by her widowed mother to pursue her education. Elayne did so with the encouragement and support of her husband and family.
She graduated with honors from West Virginia State College in 1956. While attending "State," she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Unable to find suitable employment in a segregated West Virginia education system, Elayne was forced to seek employment elsewhere. She took her newly minted education degree to Cleveland, Ohio, where she got a job working for the Cleveland School System.
After a short stint in Ohio, she returned to West Virginia and worked as a teacher at Springhill Elementary School, Kanawha County Reading Clinic and West Virginia State College. Still in pursuit of education, she earned her master's degree from Marshall University, and a Ph.D. from Union Graduate School. Regardless of her academic achievements and numerous other awards, Dr. Abnathy was never more proud than when she was addressed as mother, sister, wife, soror, aunt and friend.
She leaves behind to cherish her memories and keep her spirit alive, her children, Thomas Abnathy, Sr. and Carol Abnathy; her daughter-in-law, Sandra; her devoted siblings, Roscoe, Josephine and Maxine; four grandchildren, Lori, Thomas, Jr., Carin and Charles; seven great-grandchildren; scores of nieces and nephews; cousins; and her best friends forever, Phyllius H. Meadows and Sarah A. Adams.
Service will be held at noon Thursday, July 9, at First Baptist Church, 432 Shrewsbury St., Charleston. Friends may call one hour prior at the church.
Preston Funeral Home, Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.