Obituary of Phillip Hale Abbott

Phillip Hale Abbott, 69, husband of Norma Owens Abbott, passed away August 1, 2025, at his home in Sumter, SC. Born in Roanoke, VA on March 1, 1956, Phil was the son of the late Geneva “Sissy” Abbott and Jack Hale Abbott. Phillip married his high school sweetheart, Norma, in 1977. He retired in March 2024 from a career as machinist millwright in Bishopville, SC. If you needed something fixed, Phil could fix it and probably make it better than before. His father-in-law, Ladson Owens (Norma “Bootsie”) introduced him to fishing which became a lifelong passion. Anyone who knew Phil enjoyed something he caught in the ocean. Surviving are his wife, daughter, Katherine Dowdney (Sam) of Folsom, CA, son, Jack Abbott (Maggie) of John’s Island, SC, niece and bonus daughter, Caroline Blakeslee of Columbia, SC and five beautiful grandchildren who adored him fiercely and will miss their beloved “Poppy.” Norma, Katherine and Jack extend their heartfelt gratitude to Phil’s brother Tommy Abbott (Valerie) and Prisma hospice for their support and care during Phil’s illness. Memorial Services will be held Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 2 P.M. in the chapel of First Presbyterian Church in Sumter, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to pediatric oncology at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, 18 Bee St. Charleston, SC 29403 (please specify pediatric oncology/Phillip Abbott memorial). Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.