Robert Franklin Abbott

Robert Franklin Abbott, 91, of Jonesboro, Arkansas went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 26, 2018, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. Robert was born in Nashville, Tennessee on October 19, 1927, to the late Henry Preston and Nuffie Mae Allen Abbott Sr. Robert lived in Jonesboro since 1967, moving here from Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Robert was a retired licensed psychologist in Arkansas and Tennessee and served as a member of the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Psychology, the state licensing board, from 1975 to 1980. His education included a master’s degree from George Peabody Vanderbilt University and a doctorate from the University of Tennessee. He was certified by the council for the National Register of Health Service providers in Psychology.

Most of his employment was as a counselor, psychologist, professor, and administrator, at the Tennessee Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Middle Tennessee State University, Arkansas State University, and private practice. He was a professor of counseling and psychology at Arkansas State University from 1967 to his retirement in 1991, serving as department head from 1967 to 1972 and 1977 to 1989.

He received a distinguished award from Arkansas State University and The Faculty Association as one of the Distinguished First One Hundred Faculty to serve ASU during 1967-1991 in the first Century during 1909-2009.

In addition to psychological services and teaching, his major interests were activities as a deacon at First Baptist Church for 40 years. In retirement, he was a student of family genealogy, early American history, and the relationship between science and religion.

Survivors include Blanche Sullivan Abbott, wife of 68 years; two sons, Robert Preston Abbott  and wife, Paulette, of Collierville, Tennessee and Gerald Franklin Abbott and wife, Patricia Bost, of McLean, Virginia; grandson, Robert Preston Abbott II and wife, Allison, of Holly Springs, North Carolina and two great-grandchildren, Annabelle Catherine Abbott and Campbell Harrison Abbott.

In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by a brother, Henry Preston Abbott Jr., and an aunt, Mary Caroline Abbott.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 2, 2018, in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Rev. Ross Burton officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday, December 3, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. with Emerson Funeral Home of Jonesboro in charge.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until service time on Sunday, December 2, 2018, in Emerson Memorial Chapel.

The family requests that memorial is made to the Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or the America Heart Association 7272 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231.