MARBLE HILL -- Robert Denver Abernathy, 76, of Bridgeton died Monday, May 17, 1999, at his home.

He was born Sept. 18, 1922, in Greenbrier, son of Marvin Wesley and Opal Cameron Abernathy. He and Myra Emmanell Vance were married July 21, 1945, in St. Louis.

Abernathy was self-employed and worked as an auto mechanic. He attended two years of college.

He was a member of Fee Fee Baptist Church in Bridgeton and had served as a deacon. He also served as a deacon at Emanuel Baptist Church. He was active in YMCA and a leader for Royal Ambassadors for Christ. He was a member of the McGee Chapel Cemetery Board of Trustees.

He served in the U.S. Navy and was a World War II veteran. He also was a member of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association and earned a purple heart while serving in the military.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Todd and Tim Abernathy, both of Bridgeton and Tom Abernathy of Breckenridge, Colo.; two daughters, Patricia Taylor of Town and Country and Barbara Abernathy of Libertyville, Ill.; two brothers, Bill Abernathy of Greenbrier and Mike Abernathy of Florissant; a sister, Ruth Walk of Puxico; and nine grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, two brothers and a sister.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Hutchings Funeral Chapel.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Carl Cureton officiating. Burial will be in the McGee Chapel Cemetery.