ABBOTT, RODNEY C. Died unexpectedly on March 24, 2011. A lifelong resident of Birmingham, he attended Shades Valley High School and UAB, then embarked on a career working with computers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas W. & Emily B. Abbott and his oldest brother, Thomas W. Abbott, Jr. Second only to his family, the loves of his life were music, his dogs, and politics and he could talk for hours about any or all of them. He particularly loved playing the banjo, as well as the coronet, guitar and ukulele. He leaves to mourn his passing and celebrate his life his wife of 35 years, Valerie Anderton Abbott, his beloved son, Thomas W. Abbott II (Jenine) and three wonderful grandchildren, Andrew Abbott, Alexander Abbott and Ashlee Abbott, brothers Edwin C. Abbott and Stephen R. Abbott, as well as a host of friends. A memorial service will be held on March 30, 2011 at Johns-Ridout's Southside Chapel, 2116 University Blvd. with visitation at 10:00 am and the service at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to the Birmingham Humane Society. (Published in The Birmingham News on March 27, 2011)

 

With love from Mary Johnson-Butterworth.
Our dear friend Rodney Abbott died in his sleep Thursday night, March 17, 2011.  As far as we knew, Rod had not been ill, and he likely died peacefully and quickly on the sofa at home. Rod was a member of the Shades Valley Class of '66 and husband of Shades Valley grad and Birmingham City Councilor Valerie Abbott. Rod was one of the kindest, gentlest men I ever knew--with a wit that would not quit. My husband Chuck Butterworth and Shades Valley grads Bill Andrews, Phil Teague, and Bill Gunn were some of the regulars when Rod hosted small, informal lunches at the house where he grew up. I was honored to attend once or twice with the guys, and the experience felt like the definition of "comfort zone" to me.
Rod's lifelong friend Phil Teague called us with the news and says that he really can't yet comprehend the loss of Rodney and the huge loss to Valerie and Tom, Rod's son.
Rod's friend Bill Andrews refers to Rod as "a rock" and recalls that Rodney always said that he wanted someone at his funeral to say, "He was a pretty good banjo player." 
A service will be held at Ridout's Southside on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 11 AM, with a visitation preceding the service. Check the paper for other details.

Please forward this to anyone who might want to know. Thanks.

With love,
Mary Johnson-Butterworth

 

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