Anna Christine Hockenberger Abel

Anna Christine Hockenberger Abel, 86 of Bedford, VA., formerly of Pearisburg, VA., went to her heavenly home to see her husband on Friday, January 16, 2026. Anna was born on July 7, 1939, in Pittsburgh, PA and was a daughter of the late Harry Hansen Hockenberger and Dorothy Reithmueller Hockenberger. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her, husband of 53 years, Edward Ronald Abel, her brother, William Hockenberger and his wife, Lynn, her 2 brothers-in-law and their wives, Bruce Abel and his wife Helene and Glenn Abel and his wife Carol.

Anna grew up in Pittsburgh and after high school, attended Penn State University and was a Tri Delta, earning her B.S. in education in 1961. She married her lifelong partner, Edward Ronald Abel, in August, 1961. With her husband Ed playing professional baseball for the Chicago Cubs, then when he became a pilot in the Navy, they had multiple residences, before they settled in the Philadelphia area, having 3 children. They moved to Pearisburg, VA in 1981 where she and her husband were longtime members of the First United Methodist Church in Pearisburg. She was a substitute teacher for the Giles County School System. She enjoyed being an avid Bridge player and a square dancer. She loved being the family and town videographer and photographer. In her later years, her greatest love was playing with and spoiling her grandchildren.

She is survived by 2 daughters, Jill A. Stump (Rowdy) of Pembroke, Wendy A. Burgess (Matt) of Apex, NC, son, Todd Abel of Evington, 6 grandchildren, Nikki Johnston (Rickie), Ryan Spicer (Karli), Ethan Burgess, Emerson Burgess, Logan Abel and Matthew Abel, 3 great grandchildren, Ave-Lee Johnston, Weston Spicer and Kallie Spicer, a brother-in-law, Lee Abel (Connie) of PA and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the Givens Funeral Home from 1 – 2:30pm Saturday, January 24, 2026.  A Celebration of Life following at 2:30pm at the Givens Funeral Chapel in Pearisburg, VA.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Pearisburg, VA.

The family is being served by Givens Funeral Home in Pearisburg, (540) 921-1650; online at givensfuneralhome.com.