Philip Daniel Abernathy was born in Charlotte, NC, on January 26, 1999. He was the eighth of David and Estelle Abernathy's eight children. He lived in Waxhaw, NC for most of his life, though he spent his first and second grade years in Nairobi, Kenya, and several years on Marine bases in California.

As a Marine Corp Lance Corporal he served in an amphibious assault group at 29 Palms, California, and Camp Pendleton, California. He spent several weeks in joint exercises in the United Arab Emirates before the exercises were suspended due to Covid.

Philip was a distance runner in high school and set some records in the 1600 meter, 1 mile, and the 5K races that are still standing after seven years. Philip was also an Eagle Scout, and for his Eagle project he restored gravestones in the historic Tirzah Church cemetery, next door to his home in Waxhaw.

Philip was known by those who loved him as both stoic and silly. He was a boy and then a man of intensity, principle, and goofiness. He loved with gentleness and intensity and communicated his love through his strong, quiet presence. Philip's friends and his teachers have described him as intense, focused, having high ideals, and setting the bar high for himself to measure up to, and in so doing, he helped inspire others to do the same. But even with that intensity and drive, he was known to be good with children. When two of his Marine buddies had infants at home, Philip was the only man other than their fathers that the babies would allow to hold them. He explained their trust in him saying, "They knew I was on their level." But more likely it is because they sensed somehow that he had the heart of a protector.

Philip was a committed believer in Christ, and had dedicated his life to serving him in everything he did. As he often did in earthly foot races, he was the first in his family to cross that last finish line as he entered Heaven's gates on June 30, 2024.

Philip is survived by his parents, David and Estelle Abernathy; brothers Jonathan Abernathy (Carmen), Paul Abernathy (Lora), Stephen Abernathy (Holly), and Michael Abernathy; sisters Emily Abernathy, Katherine Abernathy (Matt Stvartak), and Meredith Abernathy (Jimi Haley). He is also survived by nieces Olivia and Shiloh, and by nephews Sean, Coen, Camrin, and Logan.

Memorial service will be at Christ Covenant Church in Matthews at 3:00 Friday, July 12. For those who cannot be physically present, there will be a livestream at https://youtube.com/live/xjYdowy3y4k?feature=share .

Go to https://www.mykeeper.com/PhilipAbernathy for a memorial website.

A Memorial Service will be held 3:00pm on Friday, July 12, 2024 at Christ Covenant Church, 800 Fullwood Ln, Matthews, NC 28105.

Holland Funeral Service is serving the Abernathy Family.