Abraham Presley

June 24, 1931 - July 12, 2017

Abraham Presley Sr. was born on March 5, 1931 to Sammie Lee Presley and Hattie Mae Presley. He was one of six children. He received his primary education in Sumter, South Carolina. Abraham, who was lovingly known as Abe, was united in marriage to Annie Dell Presley in 1951. From that union, eleven children were born. In 1965, Abraham and Annie decided to relocate to Philadelphia to raise their family, where Abraham accepted Jesus Christ and became a member of Abyssinian Baptist Church. Later in life, after retiring from Delaware Valley Hospital Laundry, he decided to return home to Sumter to enjoy his retirement. There in Sumter, he became an active member of Beulah AME Church. Abraham had a passion for motorcycles. In Philadelphia, he enjoyed taking long motorcycle rides with members of the Jaws Motorcycle Club. Despite having only a third grade education, he used his keen business sense to get into the real estate business, purchase properties, and become a landlord. He had an amazing green thumb and could often be found cultivating all kinds of fruits and vegetables in a garden wherever he lived. Collard greens, watermelon, beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers were some of his favorite things to grow. He enjoyed freely sharing his harvest with neighbors and friends. Abraham had a deep love for his grandchildren. He had his own special names for many of them, and they had their own special names for him. Depending on the grandchild, he was either Pop Pop, Granddad, or Granddaddy. Abraham is predeceased by his wife, Annie Dell Presley, and his children Herbert Presley, Abraham Presley Jr., Ernest Presley, John Presley, and Hattie Mae Leonard. He is survived by three sons, Leonard Presley (Judith), Jimmie Presley (Gloria), and Frankie Presley (Annette); four daughters, Barbara Brownlee (Kevin), Sarah Presley, Janet Presley, and Janeth Williams; his sister, Loretta Presley; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.