Ms. Tami L. Abel

In Loving Memory of a Visionary Leader and Compassionate Mentor

Tami LaNell Abel was born on August 7, 1963, the elder of two beautiful daughters to the late Melvin S. Abel and Mary Jackson Abel. Raised in Richland County, South Carolina, Tami was nurtured in a loving home and educated in the local public schools, where her natural intelligence and determination were evident from a young age. She graduated with honors from Eau Claire High School in 1981, establishing herself as both a scholar and a leader.

With a passion for communication and a gift for connecting with others, Tami continued her academic journey at the University of South Carolina. There, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Journalism in 1985, equipping her with the skills and confidence to thrive in both corporate and community settings. Tami was an active member of Francis Burns United Methodist Church until her carer lead her out of state. 

Following her graduation, Tami began her professional journey with Britton's Clothing Store, where she quickly became known for her exceptional interpersonal skills and professionalism. She then took on a role as a sales consultant with Johnson & Johnson, continuing to build a strong reputation in the business world. In 1996, Tami began what would become a longstanding and successful career with BellSouth, later AT&T, where her charisma, work ethic, and leadership continued to shine.

We remember and celebrate the life of an extraordinary leader whose dedication, wisdom, and service left a lasting mark on every person and organization fortunate enough to know them. With a career spanning decades and industries, she was a true servant leader—respected for her humility, admired for herresults, and cherished for the deep care she showed toward others.

An avid traveler, Tami saw the world through her own eyes, visiting places such as, France, South Africa, China, Dubai, Australia,  and Mexico, to name a few.  

Tami’s professional journey was one defined by transformation and impact. From steering customer operations at Fortune 100 companies to nurturing the growth of startups and small businesses, she brought vision, integrity, and tireless commitment to every endeavor. She led with purpose and strategy, always grounded in the voice of the customer and the power of people.

Through her leadership, double-digit improvements in customer and employee retention were not just metrics—they were reflections of a culture she fostered, one rooted in excellence, empathy, and continuous improvement. Her efforts contributed over $6 billion in annual revenue, and yet her greatest pride came not from numbers, but from building high-performing teams and empowering others to thrive.

She was a master of program and change management, known for turning complex challenges into seamless, collaborative successes. She led with precision and foresight—whether integrating mergers, transforming service operations, or building real-time dashboards that guided strategic decisions and regulatory integrity.

In global operations, Tami championed digital innovation and process efficiency, driving 80% digital adoption and lowering costs while enhancing customer satisfaction. But more than that, she believed in people. She was a mentor, a builder of careers, and a guide for those seeking direction. As a servant leader, sheinvested in the growth and success of others, opening doors to opportunity and advancement.

During her tenure at AT&T, she led enterprise-wide customer operations efforts at the highest level—developing communication strategies, launching enterprise dashboards, and ensuring compliance while never losing sight of the human side of leadership.

Tami also brought this same passion to small and mid-sized businesses, helping them scale, compete, and succeed. Herlegacy is one of unwavering service, transformative leadership, and a life lived with intention and generosity.  She retired from AT&T in 2022 and was just beginning to enjoy the retirement life.  

She leaves behind not just achievements, but a trail of inspired individuals, stronger organizations, and a world made better by her dedication. We honor her legacy, grateful for the time we shared and the difference she made. May her work and spirit continue to inspire those who follow in her path.

Tami leaves to mourn her loss, her loving mother Mary Jackson Abel of Columbia, SC, her beautiful sister Teri O. Abel of Columbia, SC, her Uncle Earl Jackson, many cousins, friends and co-workers who love her and will miss her dearly.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ms. Tami L. Abel, please visit our floral store.