Adeebe Abway

Adeebe Abway, 99, Altus, passed away Sunday, October 22, 2017 at Plantation Village Nursing Home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, October 26, 2017 at the Kincannon Memorial Chapel with Rev. Margery VanOostrum officiating. Burial will follow in the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home.

Adeebe was born March 29, 1918 in Ain Hershe, Lebanon to Ernest and Mariam (Haddad) Habib. Her father was killed when she was a toddler, and she was raised by her mother and her grandmother, Della Haddad. She spent her teenage years and through her 20’s in Lebanon, helping raise her brother’s 10 children. She developed a special bond with her nieces and nephews though this time. Her brother, Adeeb, was a member of the Lebanese Army, and was stationed in various locales, and Adeebe helped raise his children during those various assignments.

She immigrated to Canada in 1949, living with relatives. She worked in various apparel manufacturing firms as a seamstress, and developed her sewing skills so that she could further herself in later years.

She married Joseph Abway July 30, 1951 in Montreal, Canada, and continued to live in Montreal until 1970. The family moved to Altus in November of 1970 to help take care of Joe’s mother, Annie Abway, and Adeebe has been in Altus since that time. She has been a member of Altus First United Methodist Church for many years, and has volunteered in various church organizations and projects throughout the years.
She established the Mini Mall Alteration Shop in 1974, and continued to perform clothing alterations for many years. She finished her career of 60 plus years sewing gowns for pageant contestants. She took impossible situations in altering gowns and turned them into masterpieces.
Though Adeebe had been educated in Lebanon, she was not fluent in the writing and reading of the English language. After her husband’s death in 1986, she enrolled in adult education classes, and faithfully studied and succeeded in mastering the English language. She consistently has told people of all ages and backgrounds that “it’s never too late to learn a new language or a new job”.
Her greatest joy came with the birth of her only grandchild, Tyler. He became and continued to be her world and she was the perfect "Sito", arabic for grandmother. He made her world even better when his son Mason was born. Even though she was in her 90's, she was quite capable and very eager to baby sit Mason. Her world got even bigger with the addition of Acacia and Hayven and was excited about baby Roe coming in early December.
Adeebe was a real kid magnet. It would not be surprising to find neighborhood kids visiting her at any given time. The recurring theme throughout her life was her loving, caring and nurturing abilities that she shared with children. She became "Sito" to every child she met.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joseph, mother-in law Annie Abway, brother, Adeeb and many other family and friends. She is survived by her son Michael Abway, his wife Barbara; grandson Tyler Abway and wife, Meme Abway; and great-grandchildren Mason Abway, Acacia Abway, and Hayven Gray; special nephew, Riad Habib and wife, Lydia; "adopted" great grandchild, Bethany Garrison, 10 nieces and nephews, and many friends and extended family.
The Abway family will greet friends Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kincannon Funeral Home's Gathering Room.
Additional parking for the service is available behind the funeral home, Days Inn to the South and Western Sizzlin' to the North.

Family and friends unable to attend may log on to kincannonfuneralhome.com, 30 minutes prior to the service, to view the live webcast of the funeral.

Online tributes may be made at kincannonfuneralhome.com