YORKTOWN — WILLIAMSBURG — Our hearts were saddened by the sudden loss of our loved one, Gussie “June Bug” Abrams Jr., 85, on Monday, March 29, 2021, He was born Oct. 3, 1935, in Laurens County (Gray Court), South Carolina, to the late Gussie “Bud” and Irene Byrd Abrams.
He was raised in a large, loving family of six brothers and two sisters. He enjoyed spending hours on the phone talking with his family members, joking, encouraging and sharing God’s good word. For 50-plus years, Gussie was a faithful member of Rising Sun Baptist Church in Lackey, where he served as a trustee, sang on the men’s choir and assisted with various tasks around the church.
On Feb. 26, 1954, he married his schoolgirl sweetheart, Ruby Hellams, in South Carolina. He left South Carolina at the early age of 18 to start a life in Lackey, York County, with his young bride. He and his wife raised three children in the family home that he built in the evenings and on weekends after finishing concrete for many long, hard hours. He and his late brother Aroy worked together for many years taking pride in numerous construction projects, building and home foundations, driveways, shopping center parking lots, etc., that they completed on the Peninsula. In his spare time, he enjoyed league bowling, gardening, and he loved frying fish outside on the back patio year-round for family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Dennis James; brothers, James and Aroy; sister, Ogratcher; and sisters-in-law, Pearl, Mamie Bea, Jessie and Minnie.
Gussie is survived by his wife, Ruby; daughters, Francine Gussie Abrams Taliaferro and Lakala Matrice; grandchildren, Shawn (Syreeta), Andra, Jordan Taliaferro (Amanda) and Payton Taliaferro King (Melford); blessed great-grandchildren, Shawn Jr., Christopher, Morgan, Lil Andra, Ahyanna, Lequez and Ellie Louise; brothers, Earl, Charles, Albert “A.B.” (Betty) and Rossie (Sadie); brother-in-law, Adell Bryson; dear sister, Joyce Irene (Charles), who he spoke with practically every day; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many loving and caring friends.
Mr. Abrams was deeply loved and cared for and will be greatly missed by all.
A walk-thru viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday, April 5, at Whiting’s Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at noon, Tuesday, April 6, at Bethel Temple Church, Hampton. Livestreaming will be available for this service. Interment to follow at Hampton Memorial Gardens.
Share online condolences with the family at Whiting’s Funeral Home.
