"Sam" Joneece Abbie

Sam was born and raised in Waxahachie, Texas where she loved to climb trees and play with her sister and friends. She graduated from Waxahachie High School in 1964. She carried a wide and varied career, starting as an office receptionist. After a short stint as a professional model, she discovered her talent for numbers and pursued a career as an accountant where she worked her way up the corporate ladder at BNR/Nortel. She eventually broke through the glass ceiling of upper management to become a Senior Manager of Operations. After retiring from Nortel, she discovered her passion for working with children, especially those in need. She demonstrated her passion and love while working for the Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County. She later went on to work at the preschool at Woodcreek Church and would often share stories of the kids in her class. While she attained great success in the workplace, she did not let that define her. She was a lifelong learner, obtaining 2 Associates Degrees and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from UTD.

Sam had a huge and giving heart as shown by her involvement in many charities and fundraisers. She volunteered and worked hard for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Children's Medical Center, and Habitat for Humanity.

On November 6, 1977, Sam married the love of her life, Robert Abbie. She immediately stepped into two of the greatest roles God created for her: wife and mother of the three children of her heart. While some people may have reservations of a built-in family, especially that with two teenagers, she never batted one of her big-brown eyes. A braver woman we have never seen! Her solution for winning us over was simple: love, lots and lots of fried potatoes and beans, water-skiing at the lake house, and more love. She showed us what a real family was and completed us in a way that we never could have dreamed. She took us to church, walked out her faith, and probably prayed very long and hard for each of us. She cried and rejoiced as we came to love Jesus like she did all along. She maintained her belief that He had great plans for her family.

Her greatest joys in life revolved around God, family, and friends. Whether it was loving on her grandkids, family dinners with the famous "Mamaw beans," hot macaroni and cheese, and banana pudding, celebrating birthdays, hanging out at the lake house, or having a HUGE family Christmasher greatest desire was just for family to be together.
Robert and Sam loved to travel and took trips to Mexico, Belize, Scotland, England, France and Italy. Sometimes it was just the two of them, but more often they were surrounded by friends. They enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, exploring new areas, and relaxing on the beach. Her "girl-times" included: shopping, sipping wine, painting, and eating chips and salsa. She loved pedicures, especially if they involved a glass of wine and one of her many girlfriends.

Sam loved working in her flower beds, lounging on the deck at their lake house, creating beautiful mosaics, attending painting classes with her friends, making hand-made quilts, Mickey Mouse (but not Minnie!), Candy Orange Slices, shopping (especially for sales), finding the perfect most-meaningful gifts, and especially celebrating Christmas while surrounded by family. She had a knack for finding the perfect spot for the millions of Christmas decorations she had. When we thought it was all done, she would find boxes filled with even more.

Although it may sound cliché, Proverbs 31 describes Sam to a Tespecially verses 28 and 29 which say:
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all."
We know Jesus met her at the gates of Heaven and proclaimed, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

She is survived by her loving husband: Robert Abbie; Daughters: Carla Shaw (John) and Heidi Bow (Bill); Daughter-in-law: Shirlene Abbie; Sister: Fayelinn Fowlkes (Charles); Grandchildren: Carmen Gonzales (Jason), Caleb Abbott (Kim), Jade Petty (Sean), Breck Abbie (Eliad Kimhy), Raejan Dunn, Jacob Bow, and Julie Bow; three great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sam was preceded in death by parents, John and Phil Smith, and sons, Bob Abbie and Robert Chambers.











A service to celebrate the life of Sam Abbie will be held at 10:00 am on November 14, 2015 at Woodcreek Church, 3400 East Renner Road, Richardson, Texas 75082. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County (www.caccollincounty.org) or the American Cancer Society.