Family Log-In

Click Here

Dr. Lynn Thompson Abernathy, 78, of Waco died peacefully with her closest family members surrounding her at her long-time Waco residence on Friday, June 8, 2018.

Lynn was born in 1939 in Galveston, Texas to Adeline Boguski and Robert C. Thompson. She graduated from Bellaire High School in Houston and entered college at Texas Tech University where she met her husband-to-be Thomas L. Abernathy, Sr. Lynn and Tom were married in 1960 and moved back to Houston and then to Marshall, Texas before making Waco their permanent residence in 1968.

Dr. Lynn Abernathy completed her first of three degrees from Baylor University in 1971 receiving her Bachelor of Arts. She became a substitute teacher while earning her real estate license and quickly became an active member in the Waco community. Returning later to Baylor University, Lynn earned her Master of Science degree and became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 1979. Shortly after, she began her long-term career with McLennan Community College (MCC), working in the counseling center under Dr. Bill Migdal where she served primarily as a career counselor for 14 years until being named the Dean of Student Services in 1993. Following the death of her husband of 29 years Lynn returned to Baylor University once more, earning her Doctor of Education and was named Vice President Of Student Services.

In her community, Lynn was an active member of the Waco Lion’s Club and the Junior League of Waco where she served as chair for the 1975 Charity Ball 'It's Magic '. She served on the board for the United Way of McLennan County and was also appointed to the Waco McLennan County Library Advisory Commission and served from 2004 – 2011. She was a dedicated member of the McLennan Community College Foundation and Future Leaders Program and was named an honorary member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

Dr. Abernathy felt especially lucky and blessed to have the honor of working with her long time administrative assistant, Darlene Kilgore, who's rare qualities and expertise kept her on track

Lynn truly loved her students. Her fondest memories of them and their success and her colleagues had always remained with her and were a daily part of conversation and a great part of what made her thrive in retirement. Conversations of career events and family became bedtime stories when she could no longer speak, Lynn's eyes would light up and she would smile as she listened and it was a great comfort to her.

Lynn was preceded in death by her husband Thomas L Abernathy, Sr. and is survived by sons Thomas L. Abernathy, Jr. and Steven Abernathy, daughter-in-law Kathleen Michelle Abernathy, brother Robert C. Thompson II and sister-in-law Sheldon Thompson, sister Sally Willoughby, and loving nieces Alison Howard, Ellen Cummings, Mary Bonura and Anne Slattery.

Special acknowledgment to Treshenia, Tabatha, Chandra, Shirley, Susie, Kathleen and Esther for their loving support of Lynn during her illness. Also, a heartfelt thanks to Texas Home Health Hospice and their exceptional workers Tammy and Chris.

The family has requested that friends make donations to Waco McLennan County Library, McLennan Community College, Baylor University, Fuzzy Friends Rescue, Alzheimer’s research or to a charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Lynn Lee Abernathy (Thompson), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.