Mrs. Lena Abernathy Earley, age 86, of Blue Ridge, GA, passed away on December 24, 2021 at her home. She was a native of Fannin County, GA born to the late Luther H. and Elizabeth Hamlin Abernathy. She was the owner of Sugar Creek Equestrian Farms for a many years. Lena was not only a civic but a public servant to Fannin County. Throughout the years she worked with the census, Fannin County Court House, an active member of the Democratic Party; both at the local and state levels. She was a compassionate person often devoting her time feeding and helping those in need in her community. Lena was a member of First Baptist Church, Epworth, GA and the Morganton Chapter No. 394 Order of the Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, George Melvin Earley, Sr.; daughter, Manina Earley Collins; son, George Melvin Earley, Jr., and her siblings, Robert Abernathy, Frank George Abernathy, L.H. Abernathy, Lina Stepp, Sally Myatt, Nellie Stillwell, Charles Abernathy and Carl Edd Abernathy. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Mark Andrew Earley and Sherry Lynn Patterson of Ellijay, GA; grandchildren, Cameron Burton, Anthony Baldridge, Patrick Earley, Lindsey Baldridge, Jody Earley, Quinton and Casey Earley and Lucas Earley; great grandchildren, Kayla Earley, Adara Earley and Cole Earley; brother, Harry W. Abernathy of Blue Ridge, GA; Sue Akridge of Knoxville, TN and Elizabeth A. Simonds of Blue Ridge, GA; son-in-law, Leon Collins of Blue Ridge, GA; daughter-in-law, Renee Walden Payne of Blue Ridge, GA. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. from the First Baptist Church of Epworth, GA with Dr. Tom Jordan officiating. Music will be provided by Rev. Doug Simonds. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: Charles Hill, Lamar Simonds, Dave Champagne, William McClure, Frank Collins and Tony Baldridge. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to your local chapter of Disabled American Veterans or to Morganton Chapter No.394 O.E.S. at P.O. Box 176 Morganton, GA 30560. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation Akins Funeral Home - Blue Ridge Wednesday, December 29, 2021 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM 7871 Blue Ridge DriveBlue Ridge, Georgia 30513 Directions Funeral Service First Baptist Church of Epworth Thursday, December 30, 2021 1:00 PM 447 Madola RdEpworth, GA 30541 Directions