Meet Our Donors
Rev. Joseph Abram, Jr. and Mrs. JoAnn Green Abram
Joseph Abram, Jr. is a native of Marion, SC, and the second of five sons born to the late Joseph, Sr. and Beatrice Moore Abram. He is a graduate of Johnakin High School (Marion), and he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in sociology from the University of South Carolina. Further studies were undertaken at Francis Marion University, Claflin University, Coastal Carolina University, North Greenville Hospital System Pastoral Counseling Center for Alcohol and Drug Addiction, and Duke Divinity School.
Rev. Abram is an ordained Elder of the South Carolina Annual Conference and a member of Discipleship Ministries' Academy of Preaching. Prior to retiring in 2015, he served eleven churches in four appointments over a period of thirty-five years.
Rev. Abram has been an avid supporter of Africa University for more than seventeen years. He has travelled to Africa University twice and preaches throughout the United States twice annually sharing the university's story.
He is the father of four children born of his marriage to the late Mildred Wilson Abram, who died during the marriage. He is married to JoAnn Green Abram. Their blended family consists of 8 adult children, 21 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. JoAnn Green Abram is the daughter of the late Gracie Sistrunk and Clay Green. She is a native of Orangeburg, SC, and attended the public schools of Orangeburg. She spent nine years in New York City working as an administrative assistant at the William Morris Publishing Company and later at Ottorbourg, Stiendler, Houston, & Rosen Law Firm.
Upon her return to South Carolina, she worked at American Yard Products, Hughes Aircraft, and the Orangeburg County Council on Aging. While working, she enrolled at Denmark Technical College and became a certified nursing assistant. She retired in 2013. A very proud United Methodist, Mrs. Abram has been active in her local church and on the district. She has served as council chair, class leader, choir director, president and treasurer of UMW, UMW cluster leader, certified lay servant, and lay servant teacher of stewardship.
She and Rev. Abram were married on September 18, 2010, and she has four children born of a prior marriage.
Rev. and Mrs. Abram are endowing a scholarship at Africa University.