Abner Rivenbark

     Abner Rivenbark, 86, formerly of Burgaw, North Carolina and Fort Washington, Maryland, went home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on October 1, 2025. Abner was born on December 11, 1938, on Horse Branch, Watha, North Carolina. When he was just three years old his father died in a car accident and at an early age helped his widowed mother, along with his siblings, tend the family farm during the latter years of the depression. His chores included loading mule carts full of butter and eggs before sunrise to transport them and sell in Wilmington, North Carolina, to fending off nighttime moonshiners who used the creek running through their farm to transport whiskey. At the age of 17 Abner entered the United States Air Force. He returned home, often hitchhiking to the family home to help with maintenance and repairs to keep his mother comfortable.                                                                                        

     In the Air Force, Abner served 20 during the height of the Cold War, including deployments to Greenland and ten years of service in the Presidential Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base. There he worked directly on Air Force One installing and repairing interior furnishings for the President of the United States.  He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant E8 and maintained lifetime friendships with many fellow servicemen.  Abner then served 18.5 years for the United States Congress on Capitol Hill where he supervised the House of Representatives drapery shop creating and installing drapery and upholstery for Congressmen and the House of Representatives Chamber. He also oversaw the design and installation of the drapery and buntings that decorated the exterior of the United States Capitol building during four different Presidential Inaugurations.

     After retirement, Abner and his wife, Annie, returned home to Pender County, North Carolina and continued his passion for building, repairing and maintaining his home. He enjoyed farming, growing vegetables, blueberries and flowers. His church, family, friends and many people in need were helped by his kindness and generosity. Abner loved his big gatherings and never met a stranger who didn’t leave as his friend.  He enjoyed his large family and as the years progressed, he and Annie became a hub of activity for each new generation. Many happy memories were made as they generously opened their home to family and friends, too numerous to count. In their later years Abner and Annie lived in South Carolina, moving to be closer to family.

     Abner is now reunited with his beloved Annie and his family, siblings, many cousins, uncles and aunts that he so enjoyed. We imagine that he is already happily mowing the grass in heaven.    

     Abner is survived by his sisters,  Julie Collins and Nettie Daub;  daughter, Dana (John) Soltis; sons, Don (Terri) Collins and Mark (Beth) Collins; grandchildren, Rachel, Kadric, Michael, Samuel, Anna and Benjamin Soltis, Justin (Amanda) Glenn, Tayor, Trey, Samuel and Kate Collins; greatgrandchildren, Lorelai and Liam Glenn; cousin, Hildreth Gallagher. nephews, Daniel, Joe, Charlie, Delane, and Darrell Rivenbark and Will Daub. Plus many loving cousins, nephews and nieces throughout our numerous family.                       

     Abner was predeceased by his cherished wife of 26 years, Annie (Shupe) Rivenbark: parents, Mary Katheryn and Abner Coy Rivenbark; brothers, Coy Taylor Rivenbark, Edward Lee Rivenbark, and Jimmy Rivenbark; and sister, Marjorie Katheryn Malpass.

     The family thanks Gloria and Jerry Taylor and Glenda Shelton for their loving assistance in so many ways to both Annie and Abner over several years as their health declined.  Also we owe gratitude to Melissa and Larry Rivenbark who stayed around the clock with Abner during his final days.   

     The family will receive friends at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel with funeral service beginning at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Randy Little and Rev. Dean Walker conducting the service.

     Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Park.

     Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting Tribute Wall.

      A service of Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel.

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