Obituary of Mr. Abraham Celestine

 Mr. Abraham Celestine Sergeant First Class (Ret) United States Army

Abraham Celestine, 85, of Alexandria, Louisiana passed away at home on Saturday, July 6, 2019. Abe, as he was affectionately referred to by most, was born on May 9, 1934 in Longbridge, Louisiana to the late David and Spencena Celestine. Abe graduated from Peabody High School (Alexandria, Louisiana) in 1954. He then went on to serve his country in the United States Army from November 16, 1957 until August 19, 1958. Following his honorable discharge from active duty, he continued his service in the United State Army Reserves until his retirement on May 5, 1994 at the rank of Sergeant First Class. Abraham worked for the local newspaper, known as the Alexandria Daily Town Talk, as shipping and receiving clerk from 1969-1996, at which time he retired after twenty seven (27) years of faithful service. Abe then went on to serve the Rapides Parish School District as an extremely dedicated crossing guard for eighteen (18) years.

Abe also served as an officer of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 8852 for many years. Additionally, he served various members of the local community through lawn maintenance and landscaping in his free time. Abe had an extremely unique and wise outlook on most things in life and this earned him recognition in the Alexandria Daily Town Talk by way of an article entitled “Abe’s Better Way” in which a local reporter journaled all the wise sayings that he had shared with her over his years of employment there. He, additionally, had a niche for doing everything “exceptionally” well and this earned him recognition on the local news highlighting the extra mile he went to protect the children that he helped to cross to school each day.

Abe is survived by his wife, Mattie Celestine; his five children, Marshae Celestine, Charles Edward Celestine, Lonnie Celestine (Shirley), Janice Nelson Jackson (Alton), Robert Tyrone Batiste (Marketta); twenty (20) grandchildren; nineteen (19) great grandchildren; three (3) great great grandchildren; one special, beloved niece, Spencena Milton; along with a host of neices, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Abe was preceded in death by his parents, David Celestine, Sr. and Spencena Celestine; his siblings, Nellie Mae Miltion, David Celestine Jr., and Simuel Celestine; and his children, Melvin Celestine, and Calvin Celestine.