Harold R. Mabe

Abingdon, Virginia

Harold R. Mabe passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at Abingdon Health & Rehab, located in Abingdon, VA. He was 86 years old.

Harold was born in Burke County, North Carolina on June 2, 1937 to Carl and Cleota Mabe (nee Abernathy). He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Carl L. Mabe, Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Betty Powell Mabe of Abingdon, Va.; daughter, Cynthia Mabe Goodrich (Kenneth) of King, NC; granddaughter, Amanda Leigh Goodrich Robertson (Michael) of Pfafftown, NC; great-grandson, Parker Blaine Robertson of Pfafftown, NC; dearest sister-in-law, Marjorie P. Akers (William); and several beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

Harold was the Valedictorian of Glenn Alpine High School’s class of 1955. He furthered his education at N.C. State University in Raleigh where he received his bachelor’s degree in engineering in 1962. He retired at the age of 60 after 40 years of employment with Brunswick Defense as a Mechanical Engineer.

An engineer by trade and at heart, Harold took great joy in finding the precise solution to many of life’s puzzles. He could often be found deciphering the jumble or cracking the Cryptoquote in the daily newspaper, calculating the perfect distance between place settings to fit the entire family around the dinner table, and even determining just the right angles to make a perfect slice of pie.

Harold had a passion and a talent for card games. An avid bridge player, Harold was a member of the Duplicate Bridge Club in Marion for 49 years. Harold was also a skilled poker player and participated in numerous World Series of Poker events in Cherokee, NC and Tunica, MS during his retirement. In his younger years, Harold also enjoyed playing golf, bowling, and traveling.

Harold will be remembered by those close to him for his quick wit and his keen sense of humor; for the delight he took in a good meal shared with his loved ones; and for his delicious and meticulously-crafted coffee milkshakes, through which he turned his love of food into an act of love for those around him. He will be remembered for his good character, his kindness, and his warm, welcoming smile. He will be immensely missed by his family and friends who loved him dearly.

Immediate family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date.

To share memories of Harold Mabe, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Harold has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion VA 24354.