J.T. Abercrombie

J. T. ABERCCROMBIE was born on February 14, 1935 in Greenville, South Carolina to the late Isaac and Frances Abercrombie. He was called home to be with the Lord on October 14, 2008 after a brief illness. He was the oldest of three children to his loving and supportive mother and stepfather, Verdery McDaniel. His sister, Bobbie Ann Young preceded him in death. J. T. accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized a Vaughville Baptist Church of South Carolina. J. T. attended Sterling High School in Greenville, South Carolina where he was an excellent, popular and active student. He played trumpet for the school band and was elected president of student council. The trumpet, a gift from hiss parents when he was ten years old, was the key to a life long love and dedication to music. After graduating from high school in 1954, J.T. attended Tuskegee Institute on a scholarship. Majoring in Industrial Arts, he played for the school band and joined the U.S. army R.O.T.C. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1959. J.T. returned from the Army to teach in the public schools of Aiken, South Carolina where he met his devoted wife of forty years, Christine Robinson, who preceded him in death. From this union three children were born, Johann, Brian and William. He and his family settled in Baltimore, Maryland where he worked for the Howard County School District as an Industrial Arts teacher from 1972 until his retirement in 1996. A devoted, faithful husband and father, J/T. always put his family first in his life. He constantly shared his infectious laughter and wit with all those who were close to him. J.T. was a very generous and kind-hearted friend who loved to discuss politics, sports and especially jazz. He was a dedicated musician who wrote and composed tunes and took delight in performing original music, most notably as a trumpeter for a dynamic band aptly named The Jazz Exponents. Leaving to cherish his loving memory are: sons, Johann (Shirl), Brian (Trenia) and William (Loretta); a devoted sister, Mae Frances Cox; grandchildren Sydney Christine, Brian Jr., Maddox, Rani and William Jr.; niece, Joyce Ann Stewart; nephew, George T. Young; special friends Reverend Grady Butler, Donald and Celeste Burrell and Horace Shumate; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Tributes

J.T. Abercrombie

February 14, 1935 - October 14, 2008