An employe of the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad was found
dead lying under his track with the engine running at 11 am
yesterday in what police said was an apparent suicide. The
death had not been ruled on last night. Milton Wayne Abbott
49 of 5055 Colewood was found dead by relatives. Officers
said he had a plastic storage box positioned over his head
in such a way that it trapped exhaust fumes Relatives told
officers that Abbott had a nervous breakdown about four
years ago. Forest Hill Funeral Home East has chargeof
services He was a member of Cherokee Baptist Church and a
World War II veteran. He leaves his wife Mrs Wanda Elaine
Abbott two daughters Mrs Sherry Weathers of Memphis and
Miss Brenda Abbott of the home two sons Larry Wayne Abbott
of Garland Texas and Gary Abbott of the home his mother Mrs
America Elizabeth Abbott and a sister Mrs Loraine Jones
both of Oak Ridge Tenn two half-sisters Mrs Ruth Smith of
Memphis and Mrs Johnetta Harris of Huntingdon Tenn a
brother Denny Audrian Abbott of Oak Ridge a half-brother
James Abbott of Memphis and four grandchildren.2
Sources:
- Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tennessee) 22 Apr 1977, Fri Page 27
