Abigail Grayce Panther “Abbie,” a bright light and beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, and friend, passed away at the age of 20, at her home in Rock Hill, SC, on August 31, 2025. Her short life was filled with creativity, laughter, love for family, and a kindness that touched all who knew her.
Born June 30, 2005, in Pineville, NC, Abbie grew up in Rock Hill, SC. She graduated with honors in 2023 from Legion Collegiate Academy in Rock Hill. Following high school, Abbie embraced a season of life in Charleston, SC, where she worked as a visual merchandiser for Aerie Corporation. She loved her new job, where she was able to use her creative side, express her sense of style, and build displays she was proud of. Most of all, she treasured the work family she found there.
Abbie also enjoyed the independence and adventures that time of life brought her, whether it was exploring Charleston’s streets and beaches, making new memories with her best friend’s and new coworkers, or simply embracing the excitement of carving out her own space at home in this chapter of life.
From an early age, Abbie had a love for creativity, music, and adventure. She played her ukulele at times, filled notebooks with drawings, devoured books, and made some of the best memories traveling near and far away to see her favorite artists in concert. She also loved any time at the beach, and living in Charleston made that dream a reality for her.
She delighted in life’s little joys. Whether stopping at a drive-through on her way to work or home, she looked forward to her favorite comfort foods and drinks Chick-fil-A, macaroni and cheese, and her Starbucks strawberry acai refresher with lemonade.
Christmas was especially meaningful to Abbie—she cherished decorating traditions with her family and all the family holidays spent with her extended families in Shelby and Spartanburg, which fulfilled her sense of family. She also enjoyed traveling on cruises to fun and exciting out-of-the-country destinations and always seemed to find a stray animal at each port she wished she could sneak back to the States with her.
Though a little shy at first, Abbie’s kindness, warmth, and loyalty were revealed as she got to know you better. She adored her fur babies—Sumo, Nala, Pacha, and Jango. Nala especially shared a special bond with Abbie, spending her Charleston season by her side. Abbie loved having Nala with her there, and Nala loved being spoiled and cherished by her. That companionship made Charleston feel even more like home.
She is survived by her father, John Panther, and her bonus mom, Julie Ann Panther; her brother, Mason Panther; her newly added bonus brothers and sisters, whom she was just beginning to know and love; her maternal grandparents, Don and Joan Phillips; her paternal grandfather, Austin Panther; aunt and uncle, Krista and Phil McClellan; Uncle Don Phillips, Jr. (DJ); cousins Brittney and Tyler Grigg and their children, Hayden and Maddox; along with many other extended family members, friends, and close friends Cali and Ashlyne.
She entered heaven’s gates into the embrace of her mother, Jennifer Phillips Panther, and her grandmother, Peggy Panther.
A service honoring Abbie’s life will be held Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Rock Hill, SC.
Abbie had a tender heart for all animals, always dreaming of giving each one a safe and loving home, so please consider in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Halfway There Animal Rescue of Rock Hill, SC http://www.halfwaythererescue.com.