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Sweet Pea Abernathy

Sweet Pea Abernathy passed away Sunday, January
1, 2012 at her home in Altus. She was born June 29,
1933 in Quanah, Texas to Mayme and Don Drake.
After graduating from Quanah High School in the
spring of 1950, she married Earl Abernathy in August
of that same year.

She was an active member of the First Baptist Church
of Altus where she was very active in Sunday school
and many other numerous activities in the church.
The National Association of Wheat Growers,
Oklahoma Wheat Grower's Association, and the
Oklahoma Angus Association. She was a Past
President of the Eroleathion Club, member of the
Shortgrass Arts and Humanities, and a member of the
National Cattlewomen's Association for 40 years. She
was named an Honorary Chapter Farmer by the FFA.
In 1988 she was the High Plains Journal Agriculture
Woman of the Year for the Oklahoma, Texas and New
Mexico region. She was heavily involved with the Altus
FFA Chapter and the Ag Youth of Jackson County.

Sweet Pea enjoyed being involved in the family's
farming and ranching operation. She was a long time
advocate for Agriculture in the State of Oklahoma and
enjoyed being involved with many agriculture groups
and activities throughout the years.

Sweet Pea's greatest love, next to her family, was her
enthusiastic devotion to the Democatic cause since
1966 when she went to her first convention. She held
many position of leadership in her local Democratic
women's group and worked in the local headquarters
for candidates prior to elections. Her leadership
positions include: Jackson County Democrat Co-Chair
in 1967; Jackson County Chair since 1975; Delegate to
the National Democratic Convention in 1988 and 1996;
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vice-president for the Oklahoma
Federation Democratic Women; President of the 4th
District Democrat Women in 1974 and 1990; Recipient
of the Outstanding Federation Democrat Women of
the Year in 1988. She hosted many receptions in her
home for Democrat hopefuls including David Hall,
George Nigh, David Boren, Jim Townsend, Pauline
Gore, David Walters, and Billy Carter (representing
President Jimmy Carter), Governor Henry, and many
others. She was inducted into the Oklahoma
Democratic Party Activist Hall of Fame in 2003. Sweet
Pea's commitment went beyond her proclamation to
be a Democrat. She "walked the walk".

Sweet Pea is survived by her husband, Earl; three
children, Don Abernathy and wife Gayle of Altus,
Marita Lane and husband Kevin of Quanah,TX,
Tommy Abernathy and wife Kristy of Altus; nine
grandchildren, Ashley Abernathy, Braddock
Abernathy, Abby Abernathy, Dr. Lance Lane and wife
Lauren, Grant Lane, Alex Lane, Lindsey Dorton and
husband Kyle, Lori Miller and husband Boone, and
Reed Abernathy; one great grandson, Kamden Dorton.

Services have been scheduled for 10:00 am,
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at First Baptist Church of
Altus with Dr. Jeff Moore officiating. Interment will
follow in the Altus City Cemetery under the direction
of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.

The family will receive guests from 6:30-8:00 pm
Wednesday evening at Lowell-Tims Chapel.

On-line tributes can be made to the family at
www.lowell-tims.com