James Ellis Abbott,Jr."Jim"

Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home

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Posted by: Warren Holloway Ward FH
[email protected]
334-684-9999
Date: Dec 20 2022 7:14 PM

Mr. James Ellis Abbott, Jr. “Jim” of Geneva, Alabama, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on December 18, 2022. He was 76.  

 

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 22, 2022, at Shiloh Baptist Church in Hartford, AL, with Rev. Terry Rainwater and Rev. Jason Enfinger officiating.  Burial will follow in the Geneva City Cemetery with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his memory.  

  Jim was born December 10, 1946, in Winter Haven, FL, to the late James Ellis, Sr. and Laura Edna Hodge Abbott.  To say that Jim lived a full life is quite an understatement. During his working career, he was employed as a law enforcement officer with the Winter Haven Police Department, as well as Marion County and Holmes County, FL, where he served as a Deputy Sheriff.  Jim was highly involved with his family, friends, and community. Jim served as Band Booster President, provided transportation for the band trailer, and raised money for band activities, by cooking and selling Boston butts.   

  Church ministry was at the heart and soul of Jim Abbott. He served as a choir director, organizer, and ministry leader for some 43 years in various congregations. Included in those were Waverly, Jacksonville, Winter Haven, Ocala, Mulberry, New Hope and DeFuniak Springs, FL, Geneva, Coffee Springs, Kinston and Hartford, AL. He was a proud member of “The Florida Baptist Singing Men” in the early years of his ministry.  

  Jim was employed with E.J. Keefe in Lakeland, FL, Benson Wholesale/Fleming foods in Geneva, AL, as a safety and security manager for 7 years and with Rushing Enterprises in Headland, AL for the past 35 years in sales. His territory covered IL, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA, AL, GA, FL, SC, NC and KY.  

  In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a son, Jon Aughtman and two brothers, Jerry and Tom Abbott.  

  Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 41 years, Joyce Abbott of Geneva, his children, James Ellis Abbott, III, of Lakeland, FL, Laura Sutherland (Alex), of Samson, AL, Lindsey Derrick (Sandy) of Watertown, TN, Scott Aughtman (Marsha) and Kelly Aughtman, both of Geneva, AL; one sister, Ann Cagle (Vernon) of Winter Haven, FL; eight grandchildren, Courtney Zelensky (Adam), Samantha Welmaker, Matthew Aughtman (Deanna), Brandon Davis, Ellis, Leah, Levi, and Bennett Derrick; six great-grandchildren, Sawyer Fain, Wyatt Mayner, Layton Davis, Elijah Welmaker, Lyam Davis and Allie Aughtman;  special friends, Pastor Bill Pritchett, Annette Phillips, Harold Rushing, and Roger Stockman.   

  The family wishes to thank Wiregrass Medical Center, Southeast Alabama Home Care, Southeast Health, Encore Rehab, Hartford Healthcare, Southern Care Hospice and Samson Rescue.  

  

  

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