Grace Oretha Abernathie Brusco

Mrs. Grace Abernathie Brusco, age 95 of Cobden, died at 2:07 a.m. Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the Anna Rehab and Nursing Center. She was born May 9, 1916 in Olive Branch, IL, the daughter of Frank Paul and Margaret Wilson Campbell.She married Bertram LaFoon in 1935. In 1946 she married Earl Abernathie and moved to Cobden with her two sons. Late in life she met and married Sam Brusco in Bradenton, FL, where she lived part of her retirement years. She was raised in the Olive Branch Methodist Church and attended the First Presbyterian Church in Cobden in later years. While living in Cobden she operated her own beauty salon and was a partner with Shirley Campbell Basler in the Abby-Bell Shop. She later worked several years at the former Anna State Hospital where she maintained the wardrobe needs of persons with developmental disabilities.To the family she was lovingly known as Granny, a role she filled with pride, an honor for multiple generations. Granny Grace enjoyed a wide range of crafts and put her outstanding sewing skills to use by making clothes and school costumes for the generations. In addition to caring for her own sons, Grace opened her home and heart to many family members and friends needing the support and understanding she generously shared with others. Grace is survived by her two sons, Carl (Theda) Lafoon of Sarasota, FL, Frank (Linda) Lafoon of Anna; grandchildren, Susan (Rick) Sherwood of Cobden, Alan LaFoon of Louisville, KY, Boyd (Heather) LaFoon of Champaign, Amy (James) Wilde of Chicago; great grandchildren, Adam (Tonia) Sherwood of Anna, Jason (Jamie) Sherwood of Jacksonville, NC, Matt (Rachel) Sherwood of Cobden, Kristen (Frankie) Williams of Anna, Kami LaFoon and Max LaFoon of Champaign, Austin, Campbell, Naomi and Adeline Wilde of Chicago; nine great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; special family friends, Sue Ella Rich of Cookeville, TN, Mary Anna Weakly of Cobden and Charles Craig of Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Elvis, Joe, Herman, Herb and Paul; sisters, Theresa Rendleman and Pauline Koehler. A celebration of Grace's Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the Anna United Methodist Church. Preferred memorials can be made in memory of Grace to Anna United Methodist Church or the Cobden First Presbyterian Church. Envelopes will be available at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna and at the Church.