Denise Freeland Abercrombie, wife of Timothy David Abercrombie, passed away Saturday, October 3, 2026, at their residence in Greer. She had bravely fought cancer that was diagnosed only two months ago.
Denise was born in Anderson, South Carolina, in 1960. She graduated from Clemson University and went on to achieve her master’s degree in arts in teaching from USC (but her heart belonged to Clemson). She taught for 34 years in the public schools of South Carolina and was named Teacher of the Year twice in Berkeley County. She was firm but fair and was loved and respected by her students. Anywhere she went in public, previous students were excited to see her. She also tutored multiple students outside of the classroom, and those students held a special place in her heart.
Denise was an amazing athlete, gifted at both softball and tennis, and played competitively into her 40s. She was a 2x AA state doubles champion! Tim remembers her competitive and adventurous spirit fondly.
Denise loved to travel and especially enjoyed the beach. She loved fishing in mountain streams and surf fishing. She and Tim collected hundreds of shark teeth in their many trips to the beach, and she treasured taking girls' trips to the beach with her sister, Wanda, and niece, Leah. She loved all her family: her siblings and their children, her acquired daughters (through Tim), Amy and Alyson, and grandchildren, Greyson, Maggie, and Millie. Her nephews, Bryan and Brandon, and her niece, Leah, were very special to her, and she always kept many pictures of them close.
Denise loved to attend sporting events: Clemson football and basketball games, and all the sports where Tim was a referee or umpire. She was generous of spirit and altruistic with her skills, and always willing and ready to help a friend or family in need. Her Christmas "wish list” consisted of a donation to her favorite charity. Her kindness, thoughtfulness, outgoing personality, and readiness to laugh meant she never met a stranger. She could walk onto a bus in a foreign country and have new pen pals she'd stay in touch with for years before she even found a seat. She was universally loved.
Denise and Tim were members of First Baptist Church in Honea Path, South Carolina. Denise looked forward to reuniting with her beloved Nanny and Pop (Clyde and Clara Campbell) in heaven, and we know they're all together now.
Denise was predeceased by her parents, Julian Manning Freeland and Patricia Campbell Lindsay. She is survived by her sister, Wanda Medlin (Johnny); brothers, Bob Freeland (Angela), Julian Freeland, Jr., David Lindsay (Tonya); nephews, Bryan and Brandon Lindsay; niece, Leah Medlin; Tim's daughters, Alyson Abercrombie Scales (Mike) and Amy Abercrombie Rogers (Billy); and grandchildren, Greyson, Millie, and Maggie.
The family extends special thanks to Amy Rogers for her loving care, and all the hospice providers who made her final days as comfortable as possible.
A gathering of friends and family will be held from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Oct. 11 at The Wood Mortuary, 300 West Poinsett Street, Greer, SC 29650. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.
Denise's generous spirit lives on. One of her final requests was, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her honor to Calvary Children's Home, 110 Calvary Home Circle, Anderson, SC 29621, or www.calvaryhome.org.
