Family, friends –– ‘He will live with us forever’                            Chris Rasmussen      Leader Staff

Fort Jackson turned out Friday to honor a Soldier killed recently in a motorcycle accident off post. Spc. Joshua-James Broadus Abbot, a human resource specialist with the 157th Infantry Brigade, died May 29 when the driver of a Toyota Camry attempted to make a left-hand turn off Augusta Highway onto Jessamine Drive, said Sean O’Brian, Fort Jackson safety officer. Abbott, who was wearing a helmet, ran into the side of the vehicle and died from body trauma at the scene, O’Brian said. “Josh loved the Army and always wanted to do the best job he could,” Capt. William Rhoden, brigade adjutant and Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment commander, said during the memorial service at Daniel Circle Chapel. “Josh will be missed, but more so, he will forever be remembered.” Abbott, 19, who was born in Lexington, S.C., on July 1, 1988, served as the commanding officer for the ROTC unit at White Knoll High School in Columbia. After graduating from high school, he joined the Army Reserves with the rank of private first class. After completing Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, Abbott was assigned to the 157th Inf. Bde. as a human resources specialist. He was mobilized on active duty May 17, 2007, through May 16. During this time he served at Fort Jackson, Camp Shelby, Miss., and Fort Bragg, N.C. “He was a high-spirited Soldier and our friend,” said Spc. Kelli Kinnitt, 157th Inf. Bde. “He never failed to uplift my spirits whenever I felt bad. I will always remember Abbott for his smile. Even though our group has lost him, he will live forever with us.” Abbott’s awards include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. He is survived by his father and stepmother, Mark and Sheryl Abbott; his mother and step-father, Cathy and Cecil Scoggins; brother, Killian Abbott; sisters, Stephanie and Olivia Abbott and his grandparents.  A member of Westside Baptist Church, Abbott loved to play video games and ride his motorcycle. Funeral services were held June 2 at Westside Baptist Church, West Columbia, with internment following in Southland Memorial Gardens. The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Westside Baptist Church Youth Ministry or to the church mission fund.