Dr. Norman Burt Abell

Dr. Norman Burt Abell (May 7, 1926 - August 25, 2012) Norman Burt Abell went home to heaven early in the morning of Saturday, August 25. He was a resident of Penney Retirement Community in Penney Farms for the past 20 years, but he had spent his working life in the Congo as a medical missionary, commissioned by American Baptist International Ministries. He belonged to the First Baptist Church of Oakland in Jacksonville for a number of years. When health issues made attendance there too difficult he attended Penney Memorial Church, where he was an associate member. His parents and sister went on before him. He leaves behind in this life his beloved wife of 65 years, Jean Abell; sons Robert Abell (Anna) and James Abell (Candace); daughters Grace Boivin (Michael) and Marjorie Clark (Rory); brother David Abell; 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He was born in Cincinnati, OH, to DeWitt Sterling and Edna (Doughty) Abell and grew up in various places, especially Raleigh, NC. He graduated from Denison University and received his MD from the University of Rochester, MPH from Johns Hopkins. In retirement he assisted in the Community pharmacy. He was active in the Social Concerns Committee, Shakespeare Readers, Symposium, Peace Forum, Dialogue Class, the Evening Programs Committee of the church. A memorial service will be held in Penney Memorial Church 4465 Poling Boulevard Penney Farms, FL 32079 (904) 284-6850 on Saturday, October 6, at 2:30 p.m., followed by a reception in Barrows Hall. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to the Haiti Hope Fund, PO Box 116, Green Cove Springs, FL 32079-0116, or Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.