Mr. King Abernathy, Jr. formerly of Newbern, passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in Bedford, TX.

King and his family were from originally from Newbern and were longtime members of Newbern First Baptist Church.  He was a long-time Minister of Music in Newbern, also serving churches in Texas, East Tennessee, and Georgia, where he spent most of his ministry before retiring.  He was also an avid beekeeper from his teenage years until shortly before his death.  He really valued family and inspired his granddaughters to be beekeepers also.  He was very proud of his seven grandchildren, who were homeschooled by their mom, three of whom have graduated college, and the rest are following in their steps.

Survivors include his daughter, Leslie Renee Payne of Bremen, GA; a son, Kyle Lynn Abernathy and wife, Elva Margarita Alaniz Abernathy (Maggie), of Leesburg, VA; and seven grandchildren, Isabel Alaniz Abernathy, Gabriel Alaniz Abernathy, Samuel Alaniz Abernathy, Raphael Alaniz Abernathy, Nathaniel Alaniz Abernathy, Anabel Alaniz Abernathy, Rachel Alaniz Abernathy and his sister, Melba Hall.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ketchum Abernathy and his parents, King Smith Abernathy, Sr. and Jarmie Lucille Layman Abernathy.

Graveside funeral services will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Dyersburg, TN. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Dyersburg Funeral Home. Friends and family members will be honored to serve as pallbearers.