Rosemary Davis Abbott

Rosemary Davis Abbott went to her heavenly home on Friday, May 16, 2025. She was born on February 5, 1944, in Dallas, Texas, to Rose Etta Huddleston.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rose Etta Huddleston and Derwood Richardson; her brothers, Frank J. Davis and Lynn Richardson; her sister, Lila Beth Smith; and her husband, Jack Don Abbott.

Rosemary is survived by her children: Debra Lynn Manziel, Gary Richard McCarley, Troy Abbott and wife Victoria Abbott; her grandchildren: Makenzie Abbott, Lyndee Manziel, Annabelle McCarley; her siblings: Gayle Osborn and Polly Darden. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Pallbearers will be Robert Cook, Dylan Gragsone, James Lookabaugh, Shannon "Droop" Cravey, Cameron Cravey, and Jerry Don Meeks.

Rosemary graduated from Eustace High School and attended the First Baptist Church of Eustace, Texas. She worked in the nutrition department for decades and served as the Nutrition Director for Eustace ISD. She loved each child as if they were her own, and her light shined throughout Eustace, Texas.

She had an incredible love for animals and especially enjoyed attending cattle shows with one of her best friends, Mammer Cates. She adored cats—so much so that she once took in a cat with no tail and one eye!

Rosemary had a deep passion for sports. She never missed a chance to attend her children’s and grandchildren’s games, cheering from the sidelines, eating popcorn, and shouting at the ref. She also loved watching football and basketball with her son Troy. Some of her favorite teams were the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Mavericks. She always loved when her son Richie would use his creativity to craft her items such as a personalized bible cover.

She enjoyed nature and often planned camping trips with her sister, Lila Smith, and brother-in-law, Jerell Smith. Her children and grandchildren have fond memories of camping at Purtis Creek State Park.

Rosemary’s beauty shined inside and out throughout East Texas. She loved when her daughter Debra did her makeup and picked out her clothes. Her family was the light of her life. Whenever her granddaughter called, she would say, “I have to go—my Lyndee is calling!”

She was a wonderful and extremely proud mother and grandmother. She wasn’t just a mother to her own children—when they were growing up, everyone was always at Rosie’s house. It wasn’t because she had the largest home, but because it was filled with life and love.

Rosemary was always surrounded by friends and family. If she wasn’t with them, she was likely at home listening to Toby Keith while talking on the phone, checking in on what was going on in her family’s lives. She never met a stranger—and if she did, they didn’t stay strangers for long. She dined daily with her friend Jody, and soon, every restaurant in town knew them by name.

Rosemary was special beyond measure and deeply loved by her friends and family. We know she is in Heaven with our Lord and her loved ones, watching over us until we see her again.