Yvette C. Abernathy was born in Dallas, Texas in July 1962 to Edmundo and Margarita Chapa.  From an earthly perspective, she left us too soon but God had other plans and blessed all that came into contact with her while she was here.  Yvette was a strong willed and beautiful Texas woman anyone would be proud to call their friend, sister, daughter, cousin, niece, wife or mother.  In her final days, she was enveloped in love by those who loved her dearly including her daughter Elana who she so adored.

As a young girl, Yvette exhibited an unmistakable affinity and love for animals of all kinds including but not limited to birds, rabbits, turtles, parakeets, hamsters, dogs, cats, fish, lizards, gerbils, bunnies, ducks, canaries and doves many of which she rescued, brought back to health and released back into nature.

As an adult, she developed a love for antiques and had an uncanny knack for seeing the beauty in objects others overlooked.  This virtue extended to people she met or encountered throughout her lifetime. 

She attended Berkner High school where she played tennis, volleyball and ran track.  She was a cheerleader and on the drill team as well.  She studied architecture at University of Texas at Austin and eventually worked at some of the most prestigious architectural firms in the world including HOK Architects while living in Atlanta, Georgia where her beloved daughter was born.  She was assigned to large scale and high visibility projects including a collaborative expansion at the High Museum of Art with a team from her favorite architect, Renzo Piano.

Yvette held various positions on the board at Tuzer Ballet in Richardson, Texas where her daughter Elana became one of the youngest dancers in Senior Company at age 12.  She cherished her time with all the special people she met at Tuzer through the years and the opportunity to make a difference there.

Yvette is preceded in death by her beloved father, Edmundo Felipe Chapa (2016).  She is survived by her mother, Margarita Espinoza Chapa; her brother, David Chapa; her daughter, Elana Nicole Abernathy; Elana’s father, Mel Abernathy; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Church by clicking

the link below, scrolling to 'Other Support' and typing the donation amount and Yvett's name:

St. Joseph Catholic Church

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