Fern Lorene Abbott

Fern Lorene Abbott, 100, was born on May 30, 1925, in Carnegie, Oklahoma, and died on January 1, 2026, in Poteau, Oklahoma. She was the second child, but eldest daughter, of Clarence and Mamie (King) Brown's 10 children.

Fern grew up in Caddo County and went to Gracemont Public Schools. She graduated as co-valedictorian of her class in 1944. On November 18, 1944, she married Jimmie Edgar Abbott. They had six children: Judy, Linda, Pat, Margie, Eddie, and Roger. Fern was a stay-at-home mother and worked in the fields until 1965. Fern earned her AART degree in medical records, went to work at the Anadarko Hospital and the Caddo County Treasurer's Office. She retired in 1988.

On her 44th birthday, Fern received one of her best gifts, her first grandchild, LaDawna, and transitioned Fern into a role that would be defining for the next 56 years as Grandma Fern. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She would attend all their events she could. When at home, Grandma Fern was usually found in one of two places: in her rocking chair reading her Bible, or at her sewing machine. She attended Gracemont and Spring Creek churches. If the doors were open, she was there. She taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, worked Vacation Bible Schools, and volunteered as the cook at Falls Creek for many summers. Through the years, her sewing machines made clothes and quilts in pillows (quillows) for her children and grandchildren. She also loved to garden and can vegetables. In the last eight years of her life, Fern lived in Poteau, Oklahoma, after a hip replacement finally made her slow down, but just a little. It was only the second surgery she ever had, after a tonsillectomy as a small child. For the first time, she had more than an antenna to watch television, but she lost the remote to her children and grandchildren. In the process, she became a fan of the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma City Thunder. She had a celebration of life for her 100th birthday over the 2025 Memorial Day weekend. She was inducted into the Centenarians of Oklahoma, and recognized by United States Senator, James Lankford, as well as Oklahoma Governor, Kevin Stitt. Family and friends came into Oklahoma from all over the country to have fun, fellowship, and celebrate Fern's life.

The following are left behind to continue her legacy: daughter, Judy Smith, and husband, Barry; daughter, Pat Trotter; daughter, Margie Burns, and husband, Kennith; son, Jimmie Edgar "Eddie" Abbott, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Ginger Abbott; son-in-law, Gary Kurns; 12 grandchildren, LaDawna Jeffries, and husband, Craig, Christy Reed, Stephen McCune, Kevin Reed, and wife, Alicia, Kim Smith, Lori Burns, Josh Abbott, and wife, Sarah, Amy Estrada, and husband, Jesus, Brian Burns, and wife, Ronay, Chris Burns, and wife, Jessica, Matt Abbott, and wife, Emily, and Jimmie Edgar "Trey" Abbott III, and wife, Lacey; 26 great grandchildren, Karli Chesner, and husband, Luke, Cassie Beger, Allie Ramsey, Maddie Ramsey, Katelyn Parnell, and husband, Nick, Cameron Jeffries, Kristen Jeffries, Alexis Ahtone-Abbott, Saitee French, Alana Abbott, Ariana French, Jonathan Abbott, Carson Cochran, Alyson McCune, Aidan McCune, Steven Reed, Brookelynn Reed, Quentin Reed, Ryan Lloyd, and wife, Destiny, Alston Lloyd, and wife, Cierra, Blake Estrada, Baby Boy Estrada, Haddyn Burns, Connor Abbott, Olivia Abbott, Charlotte Abbott; 4 great great grandchildren, Raylee Chesner, Wade Chesner, Mason Laxton, and Thomas Lloyd; brothers, George Brown, and wife, Victoria, and Jerry Brown. In addition, Fern had many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends in her circle who she cherished.

Welcoming her into her eternal home were her husband, Edgar Abbott; her daughter, Linda Kurns, her son, Roger Abbott; her sons-in-law, Ronnie McCune, Mike Reed, and Bill Trotter; her grandson-in-law, Joey Beger; her parents, Clarence and Mamie Brown; her brothers, John Brown, Henry Brown, Frank Brown, Joe Brown, Clarence Brown, and Quentin Brown; her sister, Ida Davis.

Her life advice was "Love God. Do right. Help People."

Fern was known for her faith and trust that God would always provide. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral Service: 2:00pm Friday January 9, 2026

First Baptist Church, Gracemont

Visitation: 1:00pm-8:00pm Wednesday, January 7, 2026

1:00pm-8:00pm Thursday, January 8, 2026

Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko

Family welcoming guests: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 8, 2026

Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko

Interment: Gracemont Cemetery

Under the direction of Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gracemont Ministerial Alliance or the Gracemont First Baptist Church Food Pantry.