FLAT ROCK, N.C. - Jere Michele Dabbs, age 67, of Flat Rock, North Carolina, died peacefully in her home on April 25, 2016.
Jere was born in Santiago, Chile, on September 24, 1948 of James Winters Dabbs and Marjorie Meadows Dabbs, now deceased. Following the untimely death of her father, Jere was raised in Bessemer, Alabama, among a house of women, including her mother, grandmother, and her two sisters, Melanie and Susan.
Jere graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in romance languages. After a fulfilling career at Pfifer Wire in Tuscaloosa, Alabama as International Marketing Manager, Jere joined the United States Foreign Service in 1982 as a trade consul and commercial attaché with posts around the world. She was one of very few women in the United States at the time to pass the nine hour Foreign Service Exam.
She was first stationed in Caracas, Venezuela, followed by London, England, where she met Francis Cleary. The two were married in September 1989 in a small ceremony in Winston Salem, North Carolina amid the wailing winds of Hurricane Hugo. Always the optimist and exquisite hostess, Jere pulled on rain boots and helped light candles for her guests during the power outage at her wedding reception. Her marriage to Francis also brought Jere the love of his children and their spouses: Barbara, Michael (Teri), Maureen (Ben), Patricia (Will), and Karen.
Jere's next post was in Quito, Ecuador, followed by Vancouver, British Columbia, and finally in Reno, Nevada. At each post, she left a legacy of respect and accomplishments for both her host countries and for our own country. Jere considered her proudest career accomplishments to be "the wonderful, deserving people" she was able to promote.
Jere retired to Flat Rock, North Carolina, with her husband Francis until his death in October 2013.
In 2014, Jere was reunited with Richard Snow of Tuscaloosa, Alabama--a love for the ages. Jere and Richard shared enough love in their short relationship to account for a lifetime.
Jere made the world a better place in ways we will never fully know. She embraced joy, love, tolerance, respect, and hope. She spread these things to all of us and to those we don't even know.
Jere is survived by her sisters, Melanie Dabbs (Brice Callaway) of New Market, Ala. and Susan Dabbs (Jack Braswell) of Winston- Salem, N.C. She is also survived by her beloved niece and nephews, Natalie Broyhill (Penn Broyhill), Jackson Braswell (Jen Bowers) and Louis Elliott, all of Winston- Salem, N.C.
Jere also leaves the Richard Snow family of Tuscaloosa, Ala., who embraced her with warmth from the day she and Richard were reunited.
Celebrations of Jere's life will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104.
God speed, Jere.
Highlands Cremation & Funeral Care, 2393 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, assisted the family. www.highlandscare.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Dearest Roomie, I miss you so much. We shared a deep friendship that formed in our hearts . Love in our bond of Phi Mu which brought us together, your Roomie, Julia
Julia Chabannes
April 25, 2023
It is now five years since Jere left this life. I miss you every day , dearest “Roomie”. You are forever on my heart and always in my thoughts . Love to you, your dear sisters and their families and to Richard and all the others who love you . Love in our bond of Phi Mu, Your “Roomie”, Julia
Julia Chabannes
Friend
April 25, 2021
My heartfelt condolences to the Dabbs Family. Please find comfort in knowing God cares for the brokenhearted. May God give you peace and strength to endure in the days ahead (Psalms 29:11).
AT
May 23, 2016
To the family - May you be comforted by the peace of God during this most challenging time and in the years to come.
May 18, 2016
Profesora Dabbs was my basic Spanish instructor at UA (1972-73) and was a wonderful, young, interesting teacher. I went on to a career as a Spanish teacher myself. Sad to find this news, but want to share how much I admired and appreciated her.
Jimmy Robinson
May 17, 2016
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to your family at this difficult time. Please find peace in knowing that God understands your grief and that he cares. (1 Peter 5:6,7.
May 17, 2016
My deepest condolences to your family during this most difficult time. There are no words that can ease the pain of losing someone so beloved. May you find comfort and peace in knowing that your loved one is in God's memory, because those who pass on are precious in his eyes. Psalms 116:15.
May 7, 2016
Jere & I were roommates for two wonderful years at the Phi Mu house at the University of Alabama. We forged a close friendship in 1968 that lasted 48 years. She is a part of my heart and the fibre of my soul. I loved my "Roomie" dearly and will miss her forever. Jere's "Roomie", Julia
Julia Chabannes
May 6, 2016
Please find comfort at acts chapter 24 verse 15 this outlines a beautiful promise from God please except my sincerest condolences
May 4, 2016
Sorry for your loss.
jar
May 4, 2016
Knowing Jere was like knowing a sunbeam of amazing luminosity. She radiated character, charm, intellect, kindness, humor and wit. She was a special blessing.
Pablo
May 4, 2016
With heartfelt sympathy, wishing you strength for today and hope for tomorrow. ~ Jeremiah 29:11
May 2, 2016
I saw Jere three times. She was just a fine lady and woman. It was like she had know me my whole life. I know you all will miss her. I just hate that we have lost her. I have though about her a lot these pass weeks. I just wish she was still with us all. Don't you just love that smile. T. Morris
Terry Morris
May 2, 2016
My thoughts are with your family. I pray that you find comfort through prayer. Draw close to God and he will draw close to you.
*RD*
April 30, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
April 30, 2016
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