Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

CLEVELAND, OH - Edward, one of six children, was born to Samuel A. and Naomi E. Abram Sr. on April 22, 1934, in Fayetteville, WV. He died Sunday, February 18, 2018.

Edward graduated from Stratton High School, Beckley, WV, where he met his future wife Doris Whitely. They were married in 1959, while he was in college. From this marriage, they had five wonderful children.

His vocational training was received at Bluefield State College, Bluefield, WV. He was a graduate of West Virginia State College, Institute, WV, where he obtained a B.A. degree and studied theology at the West Virginia Seminary and College, Lynchburg, VA.

On March 8, 1959, he was licensed to preach at Central Baptist Church, Beckley, WV and was ordained in the same church on the fourth Sunday, July, 1960. Edward pastored the church from 1963-1971. He was responsible for the church parsonage as well as the Abram-King Apartments, the first affordable housing complex in WV. Edward, a highly respected and influential evangelist in the City and State, was in constant demand. He met with and prayed for the US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Former US President John F. Kennedy. Edward served in the US Air Force, was Superintendent of Scarborough Elementary School, Vice-President of the Beckley branch NAACP, Chairman of the Trustee Board for the WV State Convention, Vice-Moderator of the New River Valley Missionary Association of Beckley.

He was a Free Mason, member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the Beckley Planning and Zoning Committee, the National Education Association and the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. Edward was the first person of his race to deliver a Freedom Rally address from the Raleigh County Court House Square.

In 1971, he and his family moved to Toledo, OH, where he taught at Jones Jr. High School. He also worked at the City of Toledo Board of Community Relations. Edward moved to Cleveland, and later married Betty Johnson, who was a loving and devoted wife until he was called home.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Samuel Jr. and Raymond Abram.

In addition to his wife, Edward is survived by his former wife, Doris Abram; brother, George (Cleo) Abram, who died March 18, 2018; sisters, Kathryn Abram (Lewis) Duckett and Drema Abram Brown; children, Raymond Abram, Mark (Cara) Abram, Jewell (Herman) Lightner, Angela Abram (Doug McCollough), and Michael Abram; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A celebration of life was held 2:00PM Saturday, March 3, 2018 at The House of Day Funeral Home, Toledo OH.

Graveside service will be 10:00AM Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.