The Rev. Emerson M. Abbott, 80

ROANOKE, Va. - The Rev. Emerson M. Abbott, 80, a retired minister, formerly of Crisfield, went to be with the Lord on April 2, 2007. After a valiant battle for several years, the Rev. Abbott, a great preacher, pastor and Christian leader with the Church of God, succumbed to congestive heart and renal failure.

Emerson Marcellus Abbott was born Dec. 2, 1926, in Cambridge, Md., the son of the late Rev. Clarence J., Sr. and Lola Abbott of Bridgeville, Del.

After serving as radioman for the Coast Guard in World War II, he married his childhood sweetheart, Kathryn Dize, who graduated from Crisfield High School class of 1943. They began their fu1l-time ministry for the Church of God, with pastorates in Phoenix (Jacksonville) and Ft. Mead (Odenton), Md. Their leadership has been far-reaching -- with pastorates in Parshall, N.D.; Baltimore; Milford, Del. and Alexandria and Pulaski, Va. In addition to his appointments to Indiana and the DelMarVa Peninsula, as the State Christian Education and Youth Director.

The Rev. Abbott was appointed administrative bishop for the states of Northern New England, Missouri, Michigan and Tennessee. He has served on several national committees for the Church of God, including State Councils, the General Radio and Television Board, the General Publications Board and the General Study Task Force.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kathryn Dize Abbott of Roanoke and formerly of Crisfield; their two daughters, Sharon and Reid Morgan of Greer, South Carolina and Michelle and Mark Tozier of Roanoke; two granddaughters, Kathryn Aprille Morgan and Matthew Tobey of Salem, and Adrianna Rose Tozier of Roanoke; one great-granddaughter, Morgan Elyse Tobey of Salem; four sisters, Elizabeth and Edwin Tull of Harrington, Del., Emily Cook of Kokomo, Ind., Etta Hastings of Laurel, Del., and Delma Bowden of Laurel, Del.; six brothers, Clarence, Jr., of Crisfield, Md., Fred and Nell of Salisbury, Md., Samuel and Shirley of Cleveland, Tenn., Lloyd and Doris of Bedford, Pa., Bill and Jan of Atlantic, and David and Linda of Phoenix; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one sister, Norma Caldwell of Pocomoke City, Md.

Funeral services were conducted at the Crisfield Church of God on Saturday, April 7, 2007 at 2 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Michael Baker and the Revs. Philip Morris and Harold Bowman officiated. Burial with military honors was in Sunnyridge Memorial Park in Crisfield.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Crisfield Church of God, 134 Maryland Ave., Crisfield, MD 21817.

Arrangements were in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield.