Edith Hope (Shields) Abbott

Abbott, Edith Hope (Shields), 78, of Friendsville, met her Lord and Savior Thursday, April 13, 2023.

September 13, 1944 – April 13, 2023

A beloved wife of 62 years, mother, Mamaw & great Mamaw Edith met her Lord and Savior Thursday, April 13, 2023.

Born in Townsend, Edith grew up with four brothers she loved dearly. Edith enjoyed playing basketball in high school and working at Creamland Drive-in Restaurant as a carhop where she met the love of her life, Don Abbott, at the age of seventeen and then married when she was eighteen years old.

Edith and Don made the perfect team as they raised three girls, owned & managed Don Abbott’s Cabinet Shop for 30 years, built their home of more than 40 years, built/remodeled/flipped homes, built/managed Abbott Townhouses before retiring in 1992 shortly after their first grandchild was born.

Edith had many talents. She cooked delicious food, and everyone loved her chocolate pies, fudge and dressing. She sewed beautiful clothing for her family including summer clothes, Easter dresses, poodle skirts, costumes and special aprons for the girls. Ceramics showed her artistic side when she opened the Edge of Town Ceramic Shop where she painted eagles, Indians, and other special pieces that are still cherished today. You could find her outside working in the yard or bailing hay, inside painting the home or putting up wallpaper. She made everything she did look so easy.

Edith enjoyed spending time with her family that she was very proud of and loved so much. Camping, boating, jeepin, vacationing at the beach with friends, researching and sharing her ancestry, collecting china and listening to the old gospel hymns or Merle Haggard, who was one of her mother’s favorites.

She was a beautiful woman with elegance and grace that loved Jesus with all of her heart. Her calm demeanor and smile brightened every room and made everyone feel welcome and loved. A wonderful mother that prayed for her family and leaves a legacy of kindness and generosity.

Preceded in death by her father, Perry Abbott Shields, mother, Eva Mae (Cobb) Shields, brothers, Robert “Bobby” Shields (Glenda), John “Buzzy” Shields & Richard Shields.

Survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Donald Ray Abbott, daughters, Darla Bush (Jay), Teresa Hackworth (Johnny) & Paula Rae Abbott, grandchildren, Joshua Hackworth (Hannah), Jesse logan Hackworth (Grayson), Dylan Bush (Shianne) & Sarah Bush, great-grandchildren, Brena Rose & Emma Jane Hackworth, brother, Mike Shields (Teresa), Linda & Vicky Shields of Charleston, SC, several nieces & nephews, many cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life at RIO Townsend will begin Friday, April 21, 2023, with receiving of friends 5-7PM and service at 7PM with Pastor Ronnie Hepperly officiating. Graveside service will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 1PM, at Grandview Cemetery.

The family wants to thank everyone for their love and support and invite you to join them immediately after the graveside service for lunch and fellowship at 580 Island View Drive, Friendsville, TN 37737.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Rio Townsend building fund or RIO missions via the following link:

https://my.simplegive.com/app/giving/Rio9999135