Mabel McClellan Dixon Barbee

Mabel McClellan Dixon Barbee of Spring Hope, NC, 96, died Monday, June 20, 2011 at her home.
Mabel was born in Robeson County, one of 8 siblings and a twin sister, of William D. Dixon and Mabel C. Barnes Dixon. She spent her early years in Virginia, but Spring Hope was her home for more than 70 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen C. Barbee, founder of the Spring Hope Enterprise, who served as mayor and town commissioner in Spring Hope, and was a member of the N.C. House of Representatives from 1961-1987.
Mabel was a life-long devoted and active member of Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church of Spring Hope, past president of the Sir Walter Cabinet, a recipient of the Heart Award from the American Heart Association, a nationally accredited flower show judge, a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, honored as a Co-Grand Marshall of the 35th annual Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival with her sister Pauline D. France, and a longtime member of the Raleigh Garden Club and Carolina Country Club.
Although a resident of Spring Hope, she considered Wrightsville Beach, N.C., her second home. Mabel and her husband operated the Lumina for several years, in the summertime booking Big Bands, such as Jan Garber, Guy Lombardo, Hal Kemp, Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey and others. Besides Lumina, Mabel and Allen also owned and operated the Lumina Cottages, Barbee Apartments, Carolina Temple Cottages, Beach Haven, Beatty Apartments, Edgewater Hotel, and the Holiday Inn on Wrightsville Beach.
Throughout her life, Mabel enjoyed all aspects of the human experience, whether family, social, business or political. She shared her love of flowers through her floral arranging ability. Her arrangements graced not only her dinning room table, but those of friends, Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church and included the Governor's Mansion at Christmas. She enjoyed entertaining her family, friends, or the newest Methodist minister in Spring Hope. She was very supportive of many charitable organizations, particularly those involving children, including the Children's Home Society of North Carolina in Greensboro and the Crossnore School. Mabel worked tirelessly on her husband's campaigns during his political career, remained interested in politics, and was always ready to discuss local, state, and national issues. She was devoted to her family, maintained cherished friendships, touched the lives of many, and will always be remembered for all her stylish hats.
She is survived by one daughter, Rebecca Barbee Perniciaro and husband Peter of Spring Hope; one son, Allen Cromwell Barbee II of Spring Hope; her sister, Pauline D. France of Spring Hope; two grandchildren, Matthew and Jessica Perniciaro; and many devoted nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday June 24, at 1:30 p.m. at Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church in Spring Hope. There will be a private burial prior to the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 770, Spring Hope, NC 27882, in memory of Mabel Barbee.
The family expresses their sincere gratitude for the care, comfort, and support provided by her personal caretakers and Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash General Hospital.
Arrangements by; Spring Hope Funeral Home, 7881 Webbs Mill Road, Spring Hope, NC.