Funeral services for Gerald Lynn Abraham, 72, of Greenville, MS, will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, September 28, at First Presbyterian Church, Greenville. He passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2015, at his home. Burial will be in Greenville Cemetery.
Gerald was born in Greenville, MS, on March 27, 1943. He graduated from Greenville High School and received his BBA from the University of Mississippi, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. He then served in the Jackson Air National Guard for 6 years and was a real estate broker and commercial property developer in Greenville for over 40 years. He assisted in the development of the Greenville Mall and other large commercial businesses.
In 1972, Gerald was the youngest person to be elected to the Greenville City Council, serving for 2 terms on the School Board Committee, Appeal Board, and Planning Commission. He was active in the community serving as chairman of the first St. Jude Radiothon, Mental Health Radiothon, Cerebral Palsy Radiothon and as president of Animal Welfare League, Cypress Hills Tennis Club, Washington School PTA and as a member of First Presbyterian Church, YMCA Board, Planters Bank Advisory Board, Lions Club, Police Chief Citizens Advisory Board, and Broad Slough Drainage District. Gerald coached soccer at Washington School, Greenville Christian School, and in the Greenville Youth Soccer League. He had a great passion for animals, especially abandoned dogs, and contributed to the improvement of Leland Animal Shelter. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and tennis.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Lelia Worley Abraham, son Gerald Ryan Abraham of Asheville, NC, mother Lily Abraham Mafrige of Houston, TX, brother George Douglas (Sally) Abraham of La Jolla, CA, sister Anita Joyce Abraham Buttross (Dr. David, II) of Lake Charles, LA, brother-in-law Wayne Kay Guessford of Arlington, TX, many nieces and nephews, and his special friend, Doug St. John. He is preceded in death by his son George Todd Abraham, father George Abraham, and sister Nancy Lee Abraham Guessford.
The family will receive friends Sunday, September 27, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Abraham home at 423 Wetherbee Street in Greenville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church (1 John Calvin Circle, Greenville, MS 38701), St. Jude Children’s Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105), Animal Welfare League (74 Lake Lee Rd, Greenville, MS 38701) and Animal Relief & Rescue Fellowship (P.O.Box 66, Leland, MS 38756).