Barbourville, Ky. – Gilbert W. Abner, 84, of Woollum, Kentucky, passed away November 20, 2022. Gilbert was the son of Walter Abner and Axie Grubb Abner born to them on October 7, 1938, in Fount, Kentucky.
Gilbert was a kind, hardworking man. He believed in the Baptist Faith. Gilbert united in marriage to Lillie Smith Abner on June 30, 1956, and to this union two children were born. Gilbert loved to work so much he considered work a hobby. He worked as a coal miner for several years for Mid-South Coal Company, then for Barbourville Street Department for 22 years before retiring. More than anything else though, Gilbert loved his family and cherished spending time with them. He enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren and they in turn, adored their Papaw. In his spare time, Gilbert liked to farm and plow his garden. He also liked to coon and rabbit hunt.
In addition to his parents, Walter Abner and Axie Grubb Abner, Gilbert was preceded in death by sister Jean Abner Smith and her husband Samson Smith, brother Leroy Abner and brother Andrew “Cotton” Abner and his wife Odamae Abner. One grandson, Kevin Thomas, and two great grandchildren, Kaitlyn Smith and Corey Bays, also preceded Gilbert in death.
Left behind to mourn his passing is Gilbert’s beloved wife of 66 years Lillie Smith Abner, daughter Judy Abner Thomas (Wayne), and son Teddy Abner (Karin), all of Woollum, Kentucky, and brother Lewis Abner (Willie Lee “Tootsie”) of Harrisburg, Kentucky. Six grandchildren: Jennifer Smith (Robbie) of Girdler, Kentucky, Jessica Bays (John) of Barbourville, Kentucky, Christopher Abner (Meghan) of Corbin, Kentucky, William “Chad” Abner (Kayla) of Barbourville, Kentucky, Haleigh Grubb of Girdler, Kentucky, and Jordan Grubb of Barbourville, Kentucky, and five great grandchildren: Kylee Smith, Dylan Smith, Jayden Bays, Nolan Abner, Rowan Abner, also survive Gilbert, as does special nephew Marty Abner of Woollum, Kentucky and sister-in-law Brenda Abner of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
All services for Mr. Abner will be conducted at Hopper Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday, November 25, 2022, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Saturday, November 26, 2022, from 11:00 AM until the funeral hour of 1:00 PM. Reverend Charlie Murphy will officiate assisted by Reverend David Swafford. Musical tributes to be performed by Thomas Gary and Tommy Frazier. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Nan Riley Cemetery at Woollum, Knox County, Kentucky. Respected members of the Barbourville Street Department have been chosen as Casket Bearers.
The Hopper Family, Victoria Hopper, and Sally Hopper, along with the staff of Hopper Funeral Home express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Gilbert W. Abner.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Gilbert W. Abner.
