James Buford Abner

Funeral services for James Buford Abner, 94, of Wedowee, will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2011, at 2 p.m. from Mount Pleasant Baptist Church with Dr. Corky Addison and the Rev. Ricky Emery officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery. Mr. Abner passed away Saturday, November 19, 2011, at Clay County Hospital. Mr. Abner is survived by his wife Dorothy Dalton Abner, of Wedowee; one daughter, Pamela Starkey, of Wedowee; three sisters, Lora Childres and Geneva Emery, both of Wedowee and Willie Jo Webb, of Atlanta, Ga.; one brother, Braxton Abner, of Valley; three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Larry Bradley, Daniel Smith, James Smith, Paul Frye, Kyle Akers and Whitman Bradley. Mr. Abner was born November 10, 1917, the son of William David and Ovelia Holloway Abner. He was self-employed as owner of the Swanee River Boys Quartet. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the United States Army and a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. Mr. Abner was one of the original Swanee River Boys Quartet members. He was honored to be inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame. He wrote hundreds of songs recorded by many national gospel quartets. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and three sisters. The family will receive friends at Benefield Funeral Home-Wedowee on Monday, November 21, 2011, from 4:30 until 8 p.m. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services. Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee in charge of the arrangements. Leave online condolences at www.benefieldfhwedowee.com