AHOSKIE, NC – Abner Mitchell Askew, age 91, passed away on December 30, 2018, at Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie, NC.

Mr. Askew was born in Lewiston, Bertie County, NC, on April 24, 1927, the son of the late Abner Riddick Askew and Annie Mitchell Edwards Askew. He graduated from Ahoskie High School in 1944, and following graduation attended Louisburg College. While there, he was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Japan. Upon his discharge from the Army, he entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he graduated with a degree in business administration.

After graduation from Carolina, Abner accepted a position with NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in 1950 where he had a long and distinguished career. He served as Chief, Administration and Finance Office of the Manned Spacecraft Center (Johnson Space Center), in Houston, Texas. He retired from NASA in May 1984.

Besides his parents, he was preceded he was preceded in death by his grandparents, six uncles, four aunts, and several cousins, and special friends.

Left to cherish his memory is his aunt, Mildred E. Peele of Ahoskie, NC; several cousins, and special friends.

Friends and family will welcome visitors at the home at 505 Circle Drive, Ahoskie.

A memorial service was held at First Presbyterian Church, Ahoskie, on Tuesday, January 1, 2019 with the Rev. Richard Goodman officiating. A private burial was held at the Ahoskie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN, 31848-0142 or to the National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street, at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD, 21230; or you may donate online by visiting www.tmcfunding.,com/search; then type Abner Askew.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel handled the arrangements for the Askew family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.