LaRue Arlene (Ward) Abel

LaRue Arlene Ward Abel, age 89, resident of Hickory Valley, retired from Somerville Cleaners and wife of the late James Ladell Abel, departed this life Thursday evening, October 15, 2015 at her residence.

Services of Remembrance for Mrs. Abel will be conducted at 2 P.M. Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland. A visitation for Mrs. Abel will be from 6 to 8 P.M. Monday, October 19, 2015 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel. The officiating minister will be Bro. John Ed Watkins, pastor of Mercy’s Bridge Church in Somerville. He will be assisted by Matthew Watkins and family and Stephen Watkins. Special music will be provided by Mike Watkins and John Ed Watkins. Interment will follow in the Memphis Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements will be provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center – West Chapel at Oakland.

Mrs. Abel was born August 5, 1926 in Mississippi. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis Eugene Ward, Sr. and Frances Nevels Ward. She received her education in the Humphreys County, Mississippi Public School System and was the wife of James Ladell Abel for 30 years before his death. She was a longtime resident of the Hardeman and Fayette county areas and was employed as a desk clerk for Somerville Cleaners for a number of years before her retirement. Mrs. Abel was a member of the Mercy's Bridge Church in Somerville and enjoyed special times with her family and church family and her pet dog, “Scooter”.

Mrs. Abel is survived by her daughter, Donna Watkins (John Ed) of Hickory Valley; two sons, William Abel of Hickory Valley, James Abel (Marolyn) of Hickory Valley; five grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Gene Ward, Jr.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Mike Watkins, Luke Watkins, Hayden Watkins, Jimmy Abel, Jason McElhaney and Randy Gaither. Honorary pallbearers will be Leon Watkins, Junior Sanders, Jacob Sanders, Jeff Bruce, Elijah Allen and Jake Jankowski.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Fayette County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, c/o Linda Taylor, 16845 U.S. Highway 64, Somerville, TN 38068.