William "Abb" Burch

W. Abb Burch, age 94, passed away peacefully at his residence in Jonesboro, GA on August 27, 2023.

Abb was born on October 24, 1928 to the late Walter Lee Burch and Verna Roberts Burch in Inman, Georgia.  He graduated Fayette County High School, Class of 1946, and enrolled in Berry College where many of his Burch brothers and sisters also attended.  Abb graduated Berry in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts.  In the fall of that year, he was a draftee during the Korean War but was assigned after basic training in Blackstone, VA to serve with the occupation troops in Augsburg, Germany until 1952.  Before going overseas, Abb married the love of his life, Mary Frances Cason, whom he had met at Berry College.  He told his Mama he couldn’t wait until he got back from overseas to propose or somebody else would “snatch her up”!

Throughout Abb’s career, he managed several different service stations in the Buckhead area of Atlanta and became known as the “car counselor”, who valued his customers and maintained life-long friendships with so many of them.  After retiring, Abb worked another 17 years as the jury room bailiff at Clayton County Courthouse, not retiring again until he was in his eighties.

Abb’s Christian faith, his family, and his friends were the most important things in his life.  A life-long Methodist, he was raised in his family church in Inman, GA and as an adult was a faithful member of Jones Memorial UMC in Morrow, GA until it closed its doors in 2020.  Abb, who had an uncanny memory throughout his life, could recall names, events, and dates and enjoyed telling wonderful stories about the past. He loved talking with and serving others.  His greatest wish was for others to know and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Abb was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Walt (Bea), Gray (Aline, Mary Nell), Mary Jean, Iris (Becky), John, Eva, Bessie (Lee Ross), and Arthur (Jeanne).

He is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Mary, and his children Cheryl, Jan, Bill (Leah), and Bebe (Brian); grandchildren Thomas (Dana), Rachel (Trey), Priscilla, Patricia, Mathew (Jessica), and Ginny; great-grandchildren Samuel, Gavin, and Lainey; his sister, Frannie Crumbley; his cousin who is like a brother, Jim Minter; his sisters-in-law Jane Burch and Ruth Cason, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and grands.

A service celebrating Abb’s life will be held Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 11:00AM at Inman United Methodist Church. Memorial gifts may be made to Coosa Methodist Church (pastored by Abb’s son Bill) 767 Mulky Gap Rd. Blairsville, GA 30512, or to Inman United Methodist Church (Abb’s childhood church) 151 Hills Bridge Rd., Fayetteville, GA 30215.