Elizabeth Nease Hawkins Abernathy

Mrs. Elizabeth Nease Hawkins Abernathy, 67, of Gainesville, Georgia passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, August 9, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church, Gainesville, Georgia.  Dr. Bill Coats and Reverend Shon Peppers will officiate the service.

 Beth Abernathy, affectionately known as Boo, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on Friday, August 2nd following an extended illness. Beth was born in Oklahoma City to Jim and Lena Ruth Nease. She spent her early years in Oklahoma, Houston, Atlanta, Washington DC, and finally Chattanooga where she spent her high school years. She graduated from Chattanooga High in 1974 and then attended Agnes Scott where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree and met her future husband, Lee Hawkins. 

 Beth settled in Gainesville, GA where she raised her 4 children. She spent the majority of her time and energy as a very active and engaged Mother participating in her children’s school and extracurricular activities. She taught at Mount Vernon Elementary for several years and also worked various part time jobs in support of family members. She volunteered much of her time to local charities and organizations including the Humane Society where she was known to rescue the animals herself. 

 She was best known for her family gatherings and parties. She loved hosting the family and never missed a chance to do it. In the early years these celebrations were at the “Hawkins Zoo and Fun Park” on Lake Lanier. Later, the gatherings moved north to “Panther Creek Farm” in Habersham County, where she and her late husband, Bradley Abernathy, had a farm overlooking the mountains. In the final years of her life the family parties moved up into those mountains on the Highlands Plateau. She was determined to have another place to host her family, so she very creatively renovated a 4 bedroom cabin, the “Tree House”, so that it could sleep all of her kids and grandkids, as many as 20 people at a time. 

 Beth was loved dearly by her friends and family. She was always gracious and never missed an opportunity to return a favor or reciprocate a gift. She will be missed dearly by all. 

 Beth is preceded in death by her husband J. Bradley Abernathy; her parents James Harrison Nease and Lena Ruth Harkey Nease; and her sister and brother-in-law Johnna Nease Cannon (Gary).

 Beth is survived by her children Ben Hawkins (Suzie), Elizabeth Hawkins Lebow (Mike), Jim Hawkins, Charlie Hawkins, Sr. (Abby); her stepchildren Brad Abernathy (Jill) and Stacey Abernathy Roberts (David); her grandchildren Anne Hawkins, Benny Hawkins, Jane Hawkins, Edward Hawkins, Charlie Hawkins, Jr., Lucy Hawkins, Jack Hawkins, and James Michael Lebow, Sadie Abernathy, Kate Abernathy, Emily Roberts, Maggie Roberts, Nathan Lebow, and Joey Lebow; her nieces and nephews Kelly Cannon, Chip Cannon (Elizabeth), and Seth Cannon (Beth).

 In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to First Presbyterian Church, Gainesville, Georgia or Human Society of Northeast Georgia.  W. R. Strickland & Sons, Clermont, Georgia.