JOHN WESLEY ABNEY 
(OCTOBER 13, 1869 - NOVEMBER 30, 1964)  
STRATFORD, OKLAHOMA

 JOHN WESLEY ABNEY, born Oct. 13, 1869 in Saline County, Illinois.  He died Nov. 30, 1964 at Stratford, Oklahoma.  He was known by most as "J.W." but his wife called him "Wes".  He was an ordained Missionary Baptist preacher.  He held three degrees in the Masons at the Stratford, Oklahoma lodge.  He worked as a farmer to support the family and handled revival services and pastored several churches in Oklahoma throughout his life.  He also traded properties and did various types of labor after he quit farming.  He owned and operated a grocery store in the Prairie Grove Community, west of Stratford, Oklahoma.  After the death of their  youngest son, Clarence, in WW II, he renamed the church Clarence Chapel.  He was active up to a short time before his death.  According to Ruth Abney-Spurlock, J.W. had almost no formal education.  His wife taught him to read and write.  When he was saved, J.W. joined the Missionary Baptist, although his mother was a Primitive Baptist.