Durward Thomas Abbott

KNIGHTDALE- Durward Thomas Abbott, 68, of Knightdale, North Carolina passed away peacefully in his home after a challenging year doing his absolute best to fight Cancer with post stroke complications. Durward was born in Henderson on January 12, 1958 in the unseasonably cold and snowy winter of 1958 to Dorothy Nell Ayscue Abbott and James Elmore Abbott. As the younger brother to Dennis, he was always surrounded by family and a rotating cast of colorful regulars who frequented his Uncle Pete Abbott’s well-known store in Cokesbury on Warrenton Road. As a child, he loved anything to do with G.I. Joe, Westerns, and watching wrestling on TV.

In 1971, he endured the profound pain and grief of losing his father unexpectedly. He spoke of how important his community and Cokesbury United Methodist Church family was during that immensely difficult time.

Despite experiencing loss at such a pivotal age, he also formed lifelong friendships with some of his favorite partners in crime - Richard, John, Ricky, Audrey, Timmy, and Jessie Ray. It was also during this time that he met the love of his life just a few miles down the road. He and Donna Lyn Overby had an immediate bond that bloomed in love. They dated throughout high school, moving to Raleigh where Durward studied welding and began working at several positions before becoming a long-time employee of Siemens. They were married in September of 1982, welcomed their son Daniel Thomas in October of 1984, and bought their family home in Knightdale during March of 1986.

Durward was a faithful father and husband who went out of his way to show up for his family, whether it was Boy Scout camping trips or outings to his favorite place, Atlantic Beach. He was an avid gun collector and loved US History. He had a penchant for learning about wars and the United States Armed Forces. He enjoyed cooking for his family and friends, especially smoking barbeque or whipping up a batch of devilled eggs. In recent years he earned his second-degree black belt at Knightdale Martial Arts. Above all, his favorite past time was resting his eyes for a few minutes.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 3, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at Brown’s Baptist Church by Rev. Jake Roberson and Rev. Mike Edmondson. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10:30 A.M. at Brown’s Baptist Church.

Durward was preceded in death by his father Elmo, his mother Dorothy, and his beloved wife Donna.

He is survived by his son Daniel, his brother Dennis (Kathy), his nieces Leah Abbott and Rachel Etheridge (Mike), and his cousins Jean and Maurice Wayne Hendrick, and Nancy Saunders.

Daniel wishes to express his deepest gratitude to everyone who has shown up during this tremendous time of suffering and loss over the last three years, especially to Brigitte and Joe Langston, Dr. George Kahdy, Bob Reed, and Allen Medlin.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Bob Reed, Allen Medlin, Mike Etheridge, Michael Etheridge, Jesse Ray Pegram, Bryan Tilley, Richard Stainback, John Stainback, George Kahdy, Tim Overton, Donnie Roberson, Kim Harris, Audrey Jones Moss, Gary Fain, Randell Carter and Joe Langston.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Brown’s Baptist Church, c/o Jean Bowen, 136 Bowen Road, Norlina, N.C., 27563 or Cokesbury Methodist Church, C/O Ruth Moss, 1705 Allison Cooper Road, Henderson, NC 27537.