Helen Opal Abernathy, 73, of Centralia, passed away Saturday, January 16, 2020 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital. Helen was a RN for St. Mary’s Hospital for 30 years before she retired. Helen was of the Christian Faith and went to Grace Church. Helen was a sweet lady who had a spunky personality that made it hard for anyone to not like her. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family.
A private family service will be held at a later date with burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia with Alan Nollman officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, IL 62801 (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Abernathy family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
She is survived by one daughter: Lisa Abernathy of Centralia; one brother-in-law: Charles M. Schaeffer of Centralia; brother: John Ott and wife Candi of Las Vegas, NV; three sisters-in-law: Susan Smith of Fort Myers, FL, Kim Moody and husband Brad of Sapulpa, OK, and Susan Gilliand of Sapulpa, OK; nephews: Charles P. Schaeffer of Centralia, Grady Swindell Jr. of Nexa, MO; nieces: Tiffany Ott of Centralia, and Ami Finley and husband Matt of Centralia; and niece and nephew she helped raise: Mariah Davis and significant other Corey Meskil of Centralia and Roger Campbell Sr. and wife Danielle of Centralia.
Helen was born July 11, 1947, the daughter of Grady Swindell and Patty (Coyne) Swindell. She married Rickie Abernathy on October 23, 1965 in Centralia, and he proceeded her in death on November 11, 2020. Helen was preceded in death by her husband Rickie Abernathy, her parents: Grady and Patty Swindell and her in-laws: Horgan Abernathy and Kathryn Chivario; daughter: Paula LeeAnn Abernathy; sisters: Leanna Swindell, and Paula Swindell, brothers: Grady Swindell Sr., and Dean Swindell.
