Rev. Elias Yousef Awabdy's Obituary
Rev. Elias Yousef Awabdy, age 93, of Mableton passed away May 16, 2025.
Soon after accepting Christ as his personal savior in April 1952, Rev. Awabdy felt God's call to ministry. Heeding this call, he enrolled in seminary in Beirut, Lebanon. After graduating in 1957, he went into full-time ministry serving the Lord throughout the Middle East in the Alliance Church in Jerusalem, Ramalla, Amman, Maadaba, and Mafreq. He then continued into personal ministry in cities all over Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan until 1965, when he moved to Kuwait and became engaged in the ministry again.
During his 25 years in Kuwait, he served the Lord in a ministry that grew from a humble apartment with 2 people, into a vibrant church with hundreds of close, active members. Meanwhile, the Lord also blessed Rev. Awabdy's honesty in his secular job, where he grew in scope and responsibilities. In 1989, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, preaching and serving in Arabic Baptist Churches until the Lord called him to his eternal home with his beloved Jesus.
Rev. Awabdy is survived by his loving, "proverbs 31" wife of 65 years, Salima.
Rev. Awabdy is predeceased by his older brother, Salim, and 3 younger brothers, Elian, Ibrahim, and Habib.
Three sons: Timothy, Edward, and Basil.
Two daughter-in-laws: Lydia and Heba.
Seven grandchildren: Alexandra, Elias, Noor, Heba, Andrew, Abby, and Benjamin.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Thursday, May 22, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, and again before the funeral on Friday, May 23, 12:00 to 1:00 PM at Davis-Struempf Funeral Home.
A funeral service honoring Rev. Awabdy’s life will be held on Friday, May 23, 1:00 PM at Davis-Struempf Chapel with Rev. Nicola Abdo officiating.
Interment will follow at Mt. Harmony Memorial Gardens.
For anyone wishing to view the service virtually, a livestream link will be available on Rev. Awabdy’s Tribute Page at [www.davisstruempf.com] at the above-listed service time.
Members of the Arabic church and community honor Rev. Elias Awabdy for his faithful service and dedication to sharing the message of Christ and His salvation.
The Awabdy family—Mrs. Awabdy (Um Timmy), Tim & Lydia, Edward, and Drs. Basil & Heba—along with their friends, thank you for attending the celebration of Rev. Awabdy’s life.
In his memory, donations can be made to the following churches:
First Arabic Baptist Church, Decatur, GA (where Rev. Awabdy began his mission in 1989): www.jesus-saves.org – Use the donate link
Jesus the Light of the World Arabic Church, Lilburn, GA: Zelle donations may be sent to [email protected]
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