Birdie Etheridge Meeks Abney Obituary

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Birdie Etheridge Meeks Abney (Cochran, Georgia), who passed away on November 3, 2025, at the age of 94, leaving to mourn family and friends. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family.

She was predeceased by: her parents, John Thomas Etheridge and Willie Way Etheridge (Black); her former husband Herman Lee Meeks; her son Johnny Thomas Meeks; her husband Thomas Abney; her siblings, Rosa Etheridge, Alfred Etheridge (Letti), Clara Kitchens (Virgil) and Norman Etheridge (Maria); her brother-in-law Freeman Williams; and her stepchildren, Carl Abney, Monty Abney, Frank Abney and J. T. Abney.

She is survived by: her children, Lewis Meeks and Carol Istre (Jim); her daughter-in-law Emily Johnstone; her stepdaughters-in-law, Ruby Abney and Janice Abney; her grandchildren, Art Fordham (Leean), Jody Fordham, Brandy Felty (Mark), Troy Meeks (Allison), John Meeks (Kimberly) and Lisa Lewis; her great grandchildren, Anjalee Sumrall, Nick Felty, Morgan Felty, Tyler Meeks, Tanner Meeks, Gracie Meeks, Madison Meeks and Savannah Fordham; her great great grandchild Cheyenne Sumrall; and her sisters, Minnie Lou Williams and Dora Weber (John). She is also survived by numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Ronald McDonald House at 1160 Forsyth St., Macon, GA 31201.