Colonel Patricia Ann Simmons Abraham entered into eternal rest on March 13, 2006.
She was the daughter of Eugene and Vertelle Houser-Simmons.
Patricia graduated from Suey Park High School in Brooklyn, NY and continued her education at South Carolina State College where she earned a B.S. degree in Biology (Cum Laude) in 1976. She did further study at Columbia University Teacher's College where she received a M.S. degree in science education in 1984.
In 1996 she graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College. She was honored as a Distinguished Alumni of South Carolina State University at the 26th National Conference on Blacks in Higher Education in 2001.
As a youth, Patricia joined Memorial Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY, and remained a devoted member until she moved to Orangeburg, SC, and was affiliated with Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, where she was united in marriage to John Abraham in 1986. To this union a son was born, Jayson Eugene. Upon moving to Summerville, she joined Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston.
Patricia was an active member and served faithfully as long as her health permitted. She worked tirelessly with the youth of the church as an advisor and assistant Scout Master of Troop 469. She also served as chairman of the Eagle Scout Board of Charleston County.
Patricia was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1976 as a Second Lieutenant. She gave over 29 years of continuous military and Federal service until her retirement in 2005. Her distinguished military career was marked by many firsts: member of the first class of female ROTC Cadets at SCSU (1976), first black and first female to assume command of the 182nd U.S. Army Transportation Battalion at the Naval Weapons Station Annex, US Army Reserve Center in North Charleston, SC (2000); and the first female to be appointed Harbor Master at Port Damman Kingdom, Saudi Arabia. Colonel Abraham was employed as a Civilian Training Officer at Charleston Military Air Force Base. Colonel Abraham received numerous awards and was recognized for many noteworthy accomplishments which included: the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1-OLC), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Achievement Medal (2-OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (with one Bronze Service Star), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Hourglass Device), Army Service Ribbon (2) Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. In 1998 she was awarded the IMA Reservist of the Year and was inducted into the SCSU ROTC Hall of Fame on October 27, 2005.
Patricia was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, and sister. All who knew her can attest to her unrelenting drive and willingness to accept any challenge. In addition to her love of the military, she loved her family, friends and South Carolina State University.
She leaves to cherish fond memories a devoted husband John A. Abraham, her son Jayson, her parents, Eugene and Vertelle Simmons, all of Summerville, SC; a step-daughter Sharon Abraham of Bronx, NY, a brother Eugene Simmons of Bloomfield, NJ, three grand-aunts, Virginia Houser McDonald, Hattie Mae Keitt, and Lillie Mae Haigler all of Orangeburg, SC; five aunts, Ruby Mae Keitt of Bowman, SC, Willie Mae Holmes and Amanda Reed of Central Islip, NY, Emma Lou Jones of Queens, NY, and Louise Matthews of Brooklyn, NY; five uncles, Willie Lee Haynes of Queens, NY, Booker T. Haynes of Central Islip, NY, John Houser, Alton Houser, and Henry Houser all of Bowman, SC; a very close and special family friend Mrs. Llawayne Jones of Orangeburg, SC, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was the daughter of Eugene and Vertelle Houser-Simmons.
Patricia graduated from Suey Park High School in Brooklyn, NY and continued her education at South Carolina State College where she earned a B.S. degree in Biology (Cum Laude) in 1976. She did further study at Columbia University Teacher's College where she received a M.S. degree in science education in 1984.
In 1996 she graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College. She was honored as a Distinguished Alumni of South Carolina State University at the 26th National Conference on Blacks in Higher Education in 2001.
As a youth, Patricia joined Memorial Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY, and remained a devoted member until she moved to Orangeburg, SC, and was affiliated with Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, where she was united in marriage to John Abraham in 1986. To this union a son was born, Jayson Eugene. Upon moving to Summerville, she joined Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston.
Patricia was an active member and served faithfully as long as her health permitted. She worked tirelessly with the youth of the church as an advisor and assistant Scout Master of Troop 469. She also served as chairman of the Eagle Scout Board of Charleston County.
Patricia was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1976 as a Second Lieutenant. She gave over 29 years of continuous military and Federal service until her retirement in 2005. Her distinguished military career was marked by many firsts: member of the first class of female ROTC Cadets at SCSU (1976), first black and first female to assume command of the 182nd U.S. Army Transportation Battalion at the Naval Weapons Station Annex, US Army Reserve Center in North Charleston, SC (2000); and the first female to be appointed Harbor Master at Port Damman Kingdom, Saudi Arabia. Colonel Abraham was employed as a Civilian Training Officer at Charleston Military Air Force Base. Colonel Abraham received numerous awards and was recognized for many noteworthy accomplishments which included: the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1-OLC), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Achievement Medal (2-OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (with one Bronze Service Star), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Hourglass Device), Army Service Ribbon (2) Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. In 1998 she was awarded the IMA Reservist of the Year and was inducted into the SCSU ROTC Hall of Fame on October 27, 2005.
Patricia was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, and sister. All who knew her can attest to her unrelenting drive and willingness to accept any challenge. In addition to her love of the military, she loved her family, friends and South Carolina State University.
She leaves to cherish fond memories a devoted husband John A. Abraham, her son Jayson, her parents, Eugene and Vertelle Simmons, all of Summerville, SC; a step-daughter Sharon Abraham of Bronx, NY, a brother Eugene Simmons of Bloomfield, NJ, three grand-aunts, Virginia Houser McDonald, Hattie Mae Keitt, and Lillie Mae Haigler all of Orangeburg, SC; five aunts, Ruby Mae Keitt of Bowman, SC, Willie Mae Holmes and Amanda Reed of Central Islip, NY, Emma Lou Jones of Queens, NY, and Louise Matthews of Brooklyn, NY; five uncles, Willie Lee Haynes of Queens, NY, Booker T. Haynes of Central Islip, NY, John Houser, Alton Houser, and Henry Houser all of Bowman, SC; a very close and special family friend Mrs. Llawayne Jones of Orangeburg, SC, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Colonel Patricia Ann Simmons Abraham entered into eternal rest on March 13, 2006.
She was the daughter of Eugene and Vertelle Houser-Simmons.
Patricia graduated from Suey Park High School in Brooklyn, NY and continued her education at South Carolina State College where she earned a B.S. degree in Biology (Cum Laude) in 1976. She did further study at Columbia University Teacher's College where she received a M.S. degree in science education in 1984.
In 1996 she graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College. She was honored as a Distinguished Alumni of South Carolina State University at the 26th National Conference on Blacks in Higher Education in 2001.
As a youth, Patricia joined Memorial Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY, and remained a devoted member until she moved to Orangeburg, SC, and was affiliated with Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, where she was united in marriage to John Abraham in 1986. To this union a son was born, Jayson Eugene. Upon moving to Summerville, she joined Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston.
Patricia was an active member and served faithfully as long as her health permitted. She worked tirelessly with the youth of the church as an advisor and assistant Scout Master of Troop 469. She also served as chairman of the Eagle Scout Board of Charleston County.
Patricia was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1976 as a Second Lieutenant. She gave over 29 years of continuous military and Federal service until her retirement in 2005. Her distinguished military career was marked by many firsts: member of the first class of female ROTC Cadets at SCSU (1976), first black and first female to assume command of the 182nd U.S. Army Transportation Battalion at the Naval Weapons Station Annex, US Army Reserve Center in North Charleston, SC (2000); and the first female to be appointed Harbor Master at Port Damman Kingdom, Saudi Arabia. Colonel Abraham was employed as a Civilian Training Officer at Charleston Military Air Force Base. Colonel Abraham received numerous awards and was recognized for many noteworthy accomplishments which included: the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1-OLC), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Achievement Medal (2-OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (with one Bronze Service Star), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Hourglass Device), Army Service Ribbon (2) Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. In 1998 she was awarded the IMA Reservist of the Year and was inducted into the SCSU ROTC Hall of Fame on October 27, 2005.
Patricia was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, and sister. All who knew her can attest to her unrelenting drive and willingness to accept any challenge. In addition to her love of the military, she loved her family, friends and South Carolina State University.
She leaves to cherish fond memories a devoted husband John A. Abraham, her son Jayson, her parents, Eugene and Vertelle Simmons, all of Summerville, SC; a step-daughter Sharon Abraham of Bronx, NY, a brother Eugene Simmons of Bloomfield, NJ, three grand-aunts, Virginia Houser McDonald, Hattie Mae Keitt, and Lillie Mae Haigler all of Orangeburg, SC; five aunts, Ruby Mae Keitt of Bowman, SC, Willie Mae Holmes and Amanda Reed of Central Islip, NY, Emma Lou Jones of Queens, NY, and Louise Matthews of Brooklyn, NY; five uncles, Willie Lee Haynes of Queens, NY, Booker T. Haynes of Central Islip, NY, John Houser, Alton Houser, and Henry Houser all of Bowman, SC; a very close and special family friend Mrs. Llawayne Jones of Orangeburg, SC, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was the daughter of Eugene and Vertelle Houser-Simmons.
Patricia graduated from Suey Park High School in Brooklyn, NY and continued her education at South Carolina State College where she earned a B.S. degree in Biology (Cum Laude) in 1976. She did further study at Columbia University Teacher's College where she received a M.S. degree in science education in 1984.
In 1996 she graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College. She was honored as a Distinguished Alumni of South Carolina State University at the 26th National Conference on Blacks in Higher Education in 2001.
As a youth, Patricia joined Memorial Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY, and remained a devoted member until she moved to Orangeburg, SC, and was affiliated with Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, where she was united in marriage to John Abraham in 1986. To this union a son was born, Jayson Eugene. Upon moving to Summerville, she joined Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston.
Patricia was an active member and served faithfully as long as her health permitted. She worked tirelessly with the youth of the church as an advisor and assistant Scout Master of Troop 469. She also served as chairman of the Eagle Scout Board of Charleston County.
Patricia was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1976 as a Second Lieutenant. She gave over 29 years of continuous military and Federal service until her retirement in 2005. Her distinguished military career was marked by many firsts: member of the first class of female ROTC Cadets at SCSU (1976), first black and first female to assume command of the 182nd U.S. Army Transportation Battalion at the Naval Weapons Station Annex, US Army Reserve Center in North Charleston, SC (2000); and the first female to be appointed Harbor Master at Port Damman Kingdom, Saudi Arabia. Colonel Abraham was employed as a Civilian Training Officer at Charleston Military Air Force Base. Colonel Abraham received numerous awards and was recognized for many noteworthy accomplishments which included: the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1-OLC), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Achievement Medal (2-OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (with one Bronze Service Star), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Hourglass Device), Army Service Ribbon (2) Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. In 1998 she was awarded the IMA Reservist of the Year and was inducted into the SCSU ROTC Hall of Fame on October 27, 2005.
Patricia was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, and sister. All who knew her can attest to her unrelenting drive and willingness to accept any challenge. In addition to her love of the military, she loved her family, friends and South Carolina State University.
She leaves to cherish fond memories a devoted husband John A. Abraham, her son Jayson, her parents, Eugene and Vertelle Simmons, all of Summerville, SC; a step-daughter Sharon Abraham of Bronx, NY, a brother Eugene Simmons of Bloomfield, NJ, three grand-aunts, Virginia Houser McDonald, Hattie Mae Keitt, and Lillie Mae Haigler all of Orangeburg, SC; five aunts, Ruby Mae Keitt of Bowman, SC, Willie Mae Holmes and Amanda Reed of Central Islip, NY, Emma Lou Jones of Queens, NY, and Louise Matthews of Brooklyn, NY; five uncles, Willie Lee Haynes of Queens, NY, Booker T. Haynes of Central Islip, NY, John Houser, Alton Houser, and Henry Houser all of Bowman, SC; a very close and special family friend Mrs. Llawayne Jones of Orangeburg, SC, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
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