Henrietta Bell Abercrombie

Henrietta Bell Abercrombie, 91, died peacefully on June 28, 2025 at Commonwealth Senior Living at Stratford House in Danville, VA. Born on July 13, 1933, she was the daughter of Rebecca Rabun Bell and Charles Clayton Bell of Greensboro, NC.

Henrietta attended Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a member of Tri Delta Sorority. In 1957, she married Milo Bolling Abercrombie, III and moved to Danville, VA.

Henrietta was an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany having faithfully served on the Altar Guild for as long as her health allowed. A longtime member of the Gabriella Garden Club, she earned awards for her floral designs and graciously mentored others who wanted to develop arranging skills.

Affectionately known as “Mema”, Henrietta was devoted to her grandchildren and spent much of her later life actively involved in their lives. They brought her great joy. At other times, she could be found working in her rose garden which produced beautiful flowers that she generously shared with others.

Henrietta is survived by three daughters: Elizabeth Abercrombie Daniels and husband, Steve, Jane Abercrombie Eggleston and husband, Jim, all of Danville, and Martha Abercrombie Woodley of Raleigh, NC. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Taylor Daniels Wilhelm (Patterson), Rebecca Daniels McDaniel (Peyton), Mary Clayton Eggleston McGee (Michael), James Bolling Eggleston (Sallie), Helen Cade Woodley (Joseph), and Mary Milo Ogburn Woodley (Grayson). Also surviving are six great grandchildren: Michael McGee, Milo McGee, Elizabeth Wilhelm, Bruce Wilhelm, Reese McDaniel, and Louella Gardner. Henrietta is survived by a sister, Betty Bell Betts of Greensboro, NC, and six nieces and nephews.

Henrietta was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, a grandson, Steven Bruce Daniels, Jr., a sister, Rabun Bell Barney, nephew, David Barney, and brother-in-law, Jim Betts.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday July 3, 2025, at 11:00am at The Episcopal Church of The Epiphany, 115 Jefferson Ave., Danville, VA. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Greensboro, NC.

The family wishes to express great appreciation to Henrietta’s caregivers: Nannie Tarpley, Diane Hairston, and Tina Jeffries, and special thanks to Laura Swift with Commonwealth Hospice. To honor Henrietta’s life, the family suggests that memorials may be made to the Steven Bruce Daniels, Jr. Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region, 541 Loyal Street, Danville, VA 24541, Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 115 Jefferson Ave, Danville VA 24541, Commonwealth Hospice, 101 Holbrook Street, Suite 203, Danville, VA 24541, or to a charity of your choice.