Stephen Roy Abbott, 44, of Columbia, SC, formerly of Munford, TN, died on Friday, June 9, 2023. Born in Memphis, TN, on March 7, 1979, he was a son of Alva Eugene and Paula Ann Abbott. He was a member of Living Word Lutheran Church in Arlington, TN.
Stephen was a graduate of University of Tennessee at Martin where he earned a bachelor's degree in Theater and most recently graduated from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary at Lenoir-Rhyne University with his Master of Divinity. He served his field education with St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Lexington, SC and an internship at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Columbia, SC. He was a very compassionate person who served his community through homeless and prison ministries, as well Koinonia Children's Ministry at Eau Claire Baptist Church. Stephen had recently been hired as a chaplain for Restoration Worship Center in Greenwood, SC.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his siblings, Ronald Eugene Abbott (Robin), of Homestead, FL, Carl Alan Berkey-Abbott (Kristin), of Arden, NC, Carol Diane Heard (fiancé, Chris Cartwright), of Byhalia, MS; uncle, Stephen Alexander, of Etowah, TN; three nephews; one niece; and dog, Nena.
The memorial service for Stephen will be held at 10:30 o'clock, Saturday, June 17th, at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 1416 Broad River Rd, Columbia. A reception will follow the service in the parlor of the church.
Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.