Melba Duncan Abernathy, age 86, of the Ledger Community, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 16, 2018 in the Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Earl and Margie Willis Duncan, and the wife of  Pat Abernathy. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Peggy Peters; sisters: Mae Willis, Ruby Gouge, Joan Blevins and Sue Wilson; brothers: Will, Gray, Scott, Phil, Wade and Bobby Dean Duncan.

Melba's greatest joy in life was her grandchildren, Cooper and Lexi Adkins and Keely and Caitlin Duncan. She also enjoyed working in her flower garden, especially in the spring. The daffodils and irises were her favorites. Melba spent many hours listening to Charles Stanley and had written multiple books of notes from his sermons. She was also an avid fan of southern gospel music.

Melba is survived by her sons, Dean Duncan and wife Karen of Bakersville and Danny Duncan and wife Allison of Spruce Pine, NC; sister, Gale Anderson of Granite Falls, NC; grandchildren: Cooper and Lexie Adkins, and Keely and Caitlin Duncan.

Funeral services will be 6:00 pm Monday, March 19, 2018 in the Bear Creek Baptist Church with Pastor Bruce Cannon officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:30 to 6:00 pm prior to the service. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Gideons International, PO Box 611, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 or to the Bear Creek Baptist Church Building Fund, 327 Bear Creek Church Rd, Bakersville, NC 28705.