Obituary of Abbott L. Bray

WEST COLUMBIA—Funeral services for Abbott L. "Abby" Bray, Jr., 56, of Cayce-West Columbia, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2013 at Trinity Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Dusty Reynolds and Rev. Dr. Eddie Coakley. Burial will follow in Woodridge Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Brookland-Cayce High School Cafeteria. Memorials may be made to The Abbott L. Bray, Jr. Scholarship Fund at USC Foundation, 1500 Hampton Street, Ste. 736, Columbia, SC 29208. Coach went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, May 16, 2013. Born in Columbia, he was the son of Elizabeth Bray Threatt and the late Abbott Laroy Bray, Sr. Abby graduated from Brookland-Cayce High School in 1975 where he lettered in football, wrestling and track. Although Abby was solicited by many colleges to play football, he chose to stay close to home and attend the University of South Carolina. While at USC he participated in numerous organizations, and was a proud member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, where he was the two time heavy weight fraternity boxing champion. Abby received his BS in education from USC in 1980. Immediately after college, Abby pursued a boxing career where he became a Golden Glove Boxer and trained under Joe Frazier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After this time Abby returned to Columbia and began teaching at his beloved BC High School, followed by his return to USC where he received his Master's Degree in education. Abby taught and coached at Brookland-Cayce for 23 years and served in many different capacities. During his time he was the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director; along with mentor to his friends and students. At the time of his death he was proud to serve his community as a West Columbia City Councilman. Surviving are his mother, Elizabeth Bray Threatt, children, Chris (Angela), Tre (Diana), Mallie and Alex; grandchildren, Kathrine and Cruse; brothers, Joey (Caryl), Ren (Tracy) and Caine.