Obituary of Rufus R. Abeyounis

Rufus Raymond Abeyounis, 75, of 112 Rosewood Ave., Elizabeth City, NC died at his residence Monday, August 25, 2003. He was born in Washington, NC to the late Raymond and Eugenie Daou Abeyounis. He graduated from Washington High School in 1945 and attended the Citadel in Charleston, SC. After his freshman year at the Citadel, Mr. Abeyounis joined the US Navy serving in World War II. He was stationed in Long Beach Naval Hospital, San Diego, California as an x-ray technician. After serving in the Navy from 1946 ‘1948, he returned to the Citadel and graduated in 1952. Following college, he worked as a sales representative for Sinclair Oil Company, moving to Elizabeth City to become part owner of Crystal Ice & Coal Co. (currently Crystal Enterprises Inc., a BP Oil Distributor). In 1972, Mr. Abeyounis became sole owner of Crystal Enterprises, Inc. Mr. Abeyounis served on countless community boards. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, member and past Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus, a member and past president of Elizabeth City Morning Rotary Club where a scholarship has been named in his honor. He was a former assistant to the Governor of Rotary International and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Mr. Abeyounis was a member of the NC Petroleum Marketers Association where he served on its Board of Directors. He was the 1985 co-chairman for River Spree and a charter member of its Board of Directors and served on its board for 10 years. He was an avid supporter of the youth and through his work and contribution to the local 4-H Club, he received the Roy W. Evans Memorial Award. He received the Executive Award from the Elizabeth City Boys and Girls Club for his many years of support and service. He also served on the Pasquotank County Agri-Business Council for many years. He was a former member of the Board of Directors for the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce and a former board member of Skills Incorporated. Mr. Abeyounis was a true humanitarian and a friend to all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Betty Swain Abeyounis of the home, two sons, Anthony Rufus Abeyounis and wife, Joyce, of Elizabeth City, NC and Gregory Lee Abeyounis and wife, Julie, of Wilson, NC; a sister, Eva A. Stuckey of Greenville, NC and numerous other family members and friends.. He was preceded in death by two brothers, William Raymond Abeyounis and Anthony Raymond Abeyounis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted Friday morning, August 29, 2003, at 10:00am in the Holy Family Catholic Church by Father Jim Buchholz. Entombment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will greet friends and relatives at Holy Family Catholic Church Thursday evening from 7:00 until 8:30 with a Rosary Service beginning at 7:30pm. Flowers are appreciated and accepted, however, anyone wishing may send memorial gifts to Holy Family Catholic Church, 1453 N. Road Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 or to the Rufus R. Abeyounis Scholarship Fund, c/o College of the Albemarle Foundation, P. O. Box 2327, Elizabeth City, NC 27906. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 E. Church St., Elizabeth City, NC is in charge of funeral arrangements. To sign the online guest register, please visit www.twifordfh.com.