Mrs. Helen May Abernathy Tarkington, age 84, a resident of 22 Possum Hill Road, Bath, was taken to Heaven by her Saviour, Jesus Christ, Tuesday afternoon, September 11, 2012, at her home surrounded by her three girls.
A funeral service will be held 4:00 PM Friday, September 14, 2012, at the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home in Washington, officiated by Rev. Curtis White. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Rodney Bowen, Sr., Pearson Chrismon, Starley Stell, John Holt, John Everett, Barry Beckman, Bill Hill and Jamie Barnhill will serve as pallbearers. All remaining elders and deacons of Bath Christian Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Mrs. Tarkington was born in Panola County, Texas on May 3, 1928, daughter of the late Andrew Daniel Abernathy and Alma Herren Abernathy. She was a graduate of Carthage High School in Carthage, Texas. She married Joseph Edward Tarkington, the love of her life, on September 21, 1946, who preceded her in death in November 1985.
Mrs. Tarkington was employed with Southern Bell in Texas as a teletype instructor for 12 years. In 1974, the family moved to Bath and she worked at the Bath Historic Center as a tour guide. In 1996, she retired from the Beaufort County School System as an administrative assistant. She continued to volunteer at schools and worked blood drives for the American Red Cross. Mrs. Tarkington was a member of the Heritage Book Club and a member of Bath Christian Church. She made the bread served for communion for the Christmas and Easter services.
She is survived by her daughters: Laurie T. Trussell and husband, Jerry; Lisa T. Miller and husband, Gary; and Linda T. Alligood and husband, Joseph all of Bath; her sister: Lorene Gentry of Carthage, TX; her brother: Charles Abernathy of Grapeland, TX and her grandchildren: Brent Modlin and wife, Wendy; Dana Berry and husband, Greg; Justin Modlin and wife, Crystal, Kelly Miller, Daniel Miller, Casey Alligood and fiance, Ethan Coltrain, Britney Alligood and Kendall Alligood and eight adored great-grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous loved nephews and nieces.
In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers: Doyle Abernathy, Alton Abernathy and Harold Abernathy.
The family will receive friends 7:00-9:00 PM Thursday at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington and other times at the home in Bath.
Memorials may be made to the Bath Christian Church, P.O. Box 300, Bath, NC  27808 or Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center, 1209 Brown Street, Washington, NC  27889.
You may address on-line condolences to the family or view her video tribute by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Tarkington family.