Joe Tarver Abernathy left this world on November 19, 2018, after a lengthy battle with dementia. He joined his beloved wife, Ruth Betty, his mother, Eva, and father, Y.T., sister, Eutrulia, and brother, Y.T., Jr. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama and grew up in LaGrange, Georgia. Services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Camp Osborn, 480 Camp Osborn Rd, Sylvester, GA 31791. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. At the age of 17 his parents signed for him to enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1941, and he served until 1945. His active duty was highlighted by 2½ years in the South Pacific during WWII and ended with a tour as a drill instructor at Paris Island, S. C. Mr. Abernathy met his bride, Ruth Betty Skirble, at Paris Island where she was a Woman Marine and the company clerk. They entered married bliss May 6, 1945, and he often stated "The best thing to happen to me was to marry Ruth." Mr. Abernathy left the Marine Corps to attend the University of Georgia. After working with the Army Corps of Engineers from 1951 to 1954, Mr. Abernathy began working at the Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, Georgia and retired after 28 years. Mr. Abernathy was a Boy Scout as a youth earning 19 merit badges, two short of becoming an Eagle Scout because of his enlistment in the Marines. He began working with the Boy Scouts as a volunteer when his oldest son was old enough to be a Cub Scout. He was awarded the Vigil Honor, Order of the Arrow in 1965 and was awarded the Silver Beaver for service to youth in 1971. He attended many National Jamborees beginning in 1960 and starting in 1977 through 1993 worked on the Jamboree staff. He hiked on the Philmont Scout Ranch several times with Scouts from Chehaw Council, found time to lead Scouts on the Donald Rogert Canoe Base in Atikokan, Ontario, and served on the staff for the local Boy Scout Camp, Camp Osborn. Mr. Abernathy was a 33rd Degree Mason and a member of the Triangle Lodge 708, Bluelight Lodge 741, and a member of the Hassan Shrine Temple where he was a member of the Transportation committee driving children to the various Shrine Hospitals. He was, also, a member of the American Legion. Mr. Abernathy is survived by his two sons, David Allen Abernathy and his wife Helen Williams Abernathy of Sarasota, Florida, and Joel Tarver Abernathy and his wife Jane Wilson Butler Abernathy of Leslie, Georgia; six grandchildren: Ms Tracy Frontz Schmeling, of Beloit, Wisconsin, Capt. David Abernathy II, U.S. Navy, and his wife Paige Rosser Abernathy of Tampa, Florida, Richard Christopher Ryan Abernathy, and his wife Katherine Tase Abernathy of Sarasota, Florida, Kathryn Abernathy Salyer and her husband David R. Salyer of Prestonburg, Kentucky, Mrs. Loralea Abernathy Burke of Greenville, N.C., and James Warren Abernathy and his wife Jennifer Godwin Abernathy of Madison, Georgia, and 11 great grandchildren: Kaitlyn, David Allen III, Abbygayle, Liam, Ryan, James Remington, David Ronald III, James Warren, Rebecca, Angelina, and Elysia. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Boy Scouts of America, (South Georgia Council, BSA; 1841 Norman Dr; Valdosta, GA 31601, and may be designated for "Camp Osborn Rehabilitation), The Navy Seal Foundation, 1619 D Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23459. or the Shriner's Childrens Hospital.