Gussie “June Bug” Abrams Jr.

On Monday, March 29, 2021, our hearts were saddened by the sudden loss of our loved one, Gussie “June Bug” Abrams, Jr. He was born on October 3, 1935, in Laurens County (Gray Court), South Carolina, to the late Gussie “Bud” and Irene Byrd Abrams. He was raised in a large loving family of six brothers and two sisters. He enjoyed spending hours on the phone talking with his family members, joking, encouraging, and sharing God’s Good Word. For 50 + years, Gussie was a faithful member of Rising Sun Baptist Church in Lackey, VA, where he served as a Trustee, sang on the Men’s Choir, and assisted with various tasks around the church.

On February 26, 1954, he married his schoolgirl sweetheart Ruby Hellams in South Carolina. He left South Carolina at the early age of eighteen (18) to start a life in York County (Lackey), Virginia with his young bride. He and his wife raised three children in the family home that he built in the evenings and on weekends after finishing concrete for many long, hard hours. He and his late brother Aroy worked together for many years taking pride in numerous construction projects, building and home foundations, driveways, shopping center parking lots, etc., that they completed on the Peninsula. In his spare time, he enjoyed league bowling, gardening, and he loved frying fish outside on the back patio year-round for family and friends.

Gussie is survived by his wife, Ruby; daughters, Francine Gussie Abrams Taliaferro and Lakala Matrice; grandchildren, Shawn (Syreeta), Andra, Jordan Taliaferro (Amanda), and Payton Taliaferro King (Melford); blessed great-grandchildren, Shawn Jr, Christopher, Morgan, Lil Andra, Ahyanna, Lequez, and Ellie Louise; brothers, Earl, Charles, Albert “AB” (Betty), Rossie (Sadie); brother-in-law, Adell Bryson; a dear sister, Joyce Irene (Charles), whom he spoke with practically every day!!; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many loving and caring friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Dennis James; brothers, James and Aroy; sister, Ogratcher; sisters-in-law, Pearl, Mamie Bea, Jessie, and Minnie.  

Mr. Abrams was deeply loved and cared for and will be greatly missed by all.

A funeral service will be held Noon Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at Bethel Temple Church, Hampton. Live-stream will be available for this service. Interment to follow at Hampton Memorial Gardens. A Walk-thru Viewing will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday in the funeral home.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com. 

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