Linda Lee Abney

Our beloved Linda Lee Sharp Abney passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 28th in her home in Watkinsville, Ga surrounded by her family. Linda had a happy childhood in Commerce and her family later moved to Athens to care for her Grandfather. While attending Athens High School she played the flute and began dating a trumpet player named Howard Abney, who became her best friend and lifelong love. She attended Agnes Scott College and graduated from UGA. While at UGA she and Howard enjoyed playing in the Red Coat band. A graduation trip to Europe on the Queen Mary sparked a lifelong love for travel. Some of those future trips would include rafting through the Grand Canyon, hiking through Yosemite, teaching the bible to women on a reservation, and exploring Europe, Alaska, South America, China, Canada and many more amazing countries.

After college she and Howard married and lived in Augusta while he attended the Medical College of Georgia, and their first daughter Lee Anne was born. Their education continued at the University of Florida in Gainesville where he trained in general surgery. It was while living at the student apartments at Shutt Village that some of her favorite memories of early marriage were made as she taught middle school, and was excited to bring her second daughter Mary into the family.

Next came a move to Atlanta Georgia where she supported her husband as he served in the U.S. Army as a surgeon. She and Howard began to read the works of C.S. Lewis and deepen their own understanding of the gospel and its call on their lives.

They moved back to Athens to practice General surgery and bought a historic home they enjoyed renovating in Watkinsville and were delighted to welcome their third daughter Christine. They started a young couples bible study in their home with a group of friends that deepened their own faith, and began a fifty-year long tradition that continues today. Linda excelled at hosting family and friends, gardening, and decorating her home with beautiful antiques and art. For decades she faithfully prayed with a close-knit group of women in a women’s prayer group at WFBC. She enjoyed serving on the board of the Christian Women’s Club as both a speaker and organizer, encouraged faithful giving to various missionaries around the world, and served in various roles to further the mission of WFBC. She taught English and a love of Jesus to international students every Thursday with International Friends at Beech Haven Baptist Church for over 30 years. She took special joy in inviting her students to her home in the summer for vacation bible school, labor day picnics and Christmas parties. Many of her former students kept in contact with her for years as she made a lasting impact on their lives. For many years she also served in the Salvation Army Auxiliary and enjoyed raising support for Hope Haven of Athens. She loved spending time with all three of her daughters and felt strong bonds with each of them. She enjoyed attending classical music concerts, antique hunting, visiting art museums, spending time each day laughing and playing with her five grandchildren, and attending all of their events with great enthusiasm. She perhaps loved her role of Grandmother the most.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Dr. Howard T. Abney as well as her daughters Lee Anne Abney, Mary Rathbone and son-in-law Alan, Christine Mills and son-in-law Russ. She is also survived by her granddaughters Charlotte, Lily, and Emma Mills, as well as granddaughter Chloe Rathbone and grandson Carter Mills. She was preceded in death by her parents Herbert J. Sharp, Sr. and Annie Lee McDonald Sharp, her brother Herbert Sharp, Jr. of Elijay GA, sister Polly Sue Benson of Pittsburg PA. In addition, she is survived by niece and nephew Stacy Morgan and Scott Sharp of Ellijay, Ga., as well as nieces Beth Christianson and Sarah Benson of Pittsburg, PA. 

Interment will be at 10:30 on Nov. 7, 2025 at Oconee Hill Cemetery. The service to celebrate her life will be held at Watkinsville First Baptist Church at 2:30 on Nov. 7, 2025.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Watkinsville First Baptist Church, or our daughter Mary Rathbone's charitable organization: Moms Adopting Moms. (288 Rhodes Drive Athens, Ga. 30606.)

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com