Loretta Horne Dabney

Loretta Dabney Obituary

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Loretta Horne Dabney, 75, of Wilmington, N.C., passed away at home on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008.
She was born in Wilmington, N.C., to the late Albert E. Horne and Elizabeth Leary Horne, who survives. Loretta graduated from New Hanover High School. She retired from NASA at Langley Field Air Force Base in Virginia.
Loretta is survived by two sons, Michael Dabney and wife, Bonita of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Rusty Dabney and wife, Frances of Wilmington; her mother, Elizabeth Horne; two sisters, Marilyn Skipper and husband, Charlie, Tressie Massengill and husband, Robert, all of Wilmington; three grandchildren, Nichole and Michael Dabney Jr. of Biloxi, Miss., Hollianne Wolfe of Wilmington and Tommy Wolfe of Clayton; and four great-grandchildren.
Graveside Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, in Barney C. Leary Cemetery in Hampstead, N.C. with the Rev. Timothy Cowan officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.. Saturday, at the home of her son, Rusty, 8706 Ramsbury Way, Wilmington,
She was a loving mother and grandmother, who gave generously of herself to others. She will be missed.
Tributes and Condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.mem.com
Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Service, Wilmington, NC. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Press on Sep. 19, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Loretta Dabney

6 Entries

Rachel Cain

September 21, 2008

Hello,
Wanted to send condolences to the family, from the family of Clara Bell Williams Holman. We never met Loretta, but did meet Marilyn and her mom. Loretta's dad and my grandmother were brother and sister. It would have been nice to have met you all. Again I am sorry for your loss. God Bless You and your families.

Rachel Cain

Cindy Miles

September 19, 2008

Dear Dabney Family,

I am so very sorry for the loss of Ms. Loretta. I have some things that I would like to share with your family.

I first met Loretta when my two children and I moved into the neighborhood. She wanted to get to know everyone in the neighborhood so decided to have a BBQ. When I discovered that no one had volunteered to help her prepare the food, I decided to help her out. I went to her house and introduced myself. As soon as I met her, we had an instant bond. She asked what church I belonged to and we found that we had something in common. I started to tell her about our little church called Christ Sanctified Holy Church. As we kept talking we found that many, many years ago, one of the senior pastors from our church, Brother Ray Smith, preached her father’s funeral. We had a wonderful time together sharing all the stories of her childhood. Her BBQ was an instant hit and everyone had a wonderful time.

From that time on, we had a wonderful friendship. She would always offer me money when she needed me to do something for her. I told her she didn’t need to pay me to be her friend. When it was all said and done, she was more valuable to me as my friend than I was to her. Her passing saddens my family more that you will ever know. So many times she would tease and ask if she could adopt my son, Justin. All she needed was love and that is what she gave and received.

She touched our lives and the lives of others in so many ways. She was always cheerful and positive no matter how bad she felt physically. She was one of the best cooks I have ever known. She could cook a meal fit for the Queen. When she was feeling good, we would eat dinner with her a few times a week. When she wasn’t, I would cook and bring her a plate. (Without chicken, of course….because she hated chicken)

Last Christmas I asked her if she was going to have a tree. She said she wasn’t much in the Christmas spirit. So we proceeded to surprise her with a beautiful tree and decorated it with some of our ornaments. It was the beginning of a wonderful holiday for her. I don’t know how many times she thanked me for getting her in the Holiday spirit. We sat and wrap presents together in front of a big fire. On Christmas Day my children and I had dinner with her. We had a standing rib roast and everything you could possibly imagine to eat. It was priceless. Just since I’ve know her I have gained 20 or more pounds from her cooking.

Her stories were also fascinating! Did you know she believes in ghosts? I told her that scared me. She said, “Honey, if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.” She also had many great home remedies. She once told me to take my banana peels and use them to wax my boots then throw them in the rose garden for fertilizer. Believe it or not, it really works!

I have such fond memories of her, I can only hope and pray that we will see each other again in heaven. There is so much more I want to say to her. I wish I could tell her I am sorry that I wasn’t there for her in those last minutes of her life. Maybe I could have helped her in some way. She never met a stranger and would give the shirt off her back to anyone, even if they had done her wrong. There aren’t many people like that in this world. Our neighborhood won’t be the same without her. She will be missed by all of us. I know she is in heaven looking down on all of us smiling. I also know, as unselfish as she was, she wouldn’t want any of us to be sad. She would want us all to be happy that she finally has all the answers God has promised to answer, if we serve and believe in Him. After all, the entire next chapter in her life has just begun.

Rest in peace my dear friend, Ms. Loretta. My family loves you dearly.
Cindy, Justin and Savannah Miles

Sylvia Blair

September 19, 2008

Michael and Rusty, so sorry to read the passing of Loretta. I worked with her many years at NASA Research Center. My thoughts are with you and all the family. Sylvia Berry Blair

Bonnie Edwards

September 19, 2008

Rusty I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. My prayers and thoughts are with you and all your family and friends.

Gloria Hurst

September 19, 2008

Rusty and Mike., so shocked of hear of your Mom's passing away. Our thoughts are with you all. Gloria & Jack Hurst

Jeff Norris

September 19, 2008

I was shocked to hear the news that Loretta had passed away. I have fond memories of Loretta when she lived across the street from me. I remember Loretta talking to me one day about death. She was not afraid to die and I believe that Loretta died the way that she wanted it to be, as we all will leave this earth in our own unique way. My thoughts and prayers go out to Loretta's family during this sad time. Please take comfort in knowing that Loretta touched so many people. I will miss hear! Rest in Peace Loretta, I will see you again one day in heaven. With Love, Jeff Norris

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