Joyce Tribble Abernathy, 88, of Vero Beach, FL, went to Heaven on March 12, 2018.

She was born in Athens, Limestone County, in Alabama on August 17, 1929 to Hopkins "Hop" Thomas Tribble and Bertha Morris.

She is survived by her husband, William Clanton of Margate, FL; daughters Sandra (Robert) Walker of Vero Beach and Jeannie Abernathy of Deerfield Beach, FL; stepdaughters, Gwen (Herb) Schneider, Jane (Robbie) Peacock, and Carolyn (David) Reynolds. She loved and was loved by her grandchildren, Rebecca (Jeff) Lougee, Stephanie (Ian) Ramjas, Kristin (Jamie) Strickland, and Kelli Walker; great-grandchildren, Lydia (John) Gause, Dominic Carver, Maverick and Jaxon Lougee, and Jessica Strickland.

For 35 years Joyce was a pastor's wife and served beside her husband Eugene in churches in Florida and Mississippi. She was a devoted Christian and a member of King's Baptist Church. In her early 40's she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and bravely fought that horrible disease until her last breath.

She was predeceased by her first husband of 48 years, Eugene Abernathy, and grandsons Ryan Eugene Armstrong and Isaiah Lee Grajales.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 17th, 2018 from 11:00 AM until 12:45 PM followed by A celebration of her life at 1:00 at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home in Athens, AL. A dear family friend, Rev. Robert Shook, will officiate at the service. Burial will follow at Huntsville Memory Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Barnabas Ministry at King's Baptist Church (3235 58th AVE, Vero beach, FL, 32966 (772-567-5850)).