Joann Dabbs
Joann Elizabeth Gentry Dabbs passed away peacefully and earned her angel wings on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Abilene, Texas. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022, at the Harpersville Cemetery. A Celebration of Life event will immediately follow the burial at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home and will begin at 11:00 a.m. Tommy Culwell will officiate both services.
Joann was born on February 17, 1928, in Breckenridge, Texas, to parents Albert and Mae Blackburn Gentry. Joann grew up in Harpersville and attended school in Breckenridge, graduating in 1945.
Joann married the love of her life, Carson Dabbs, in 1946, and together they spent many years living in the Houston area before Carson retired, and they returned to Joann’s family ranch in Harpersville.
Joann loved her family fiercely and often spoke about them to her friends or anyone who would listen. She would speak about their latest accomplishments in school or sports, achievements at work, or any other notable goal that had been reached that was a source of pride for her. She also loved the Lord and spent many hours in prayer for her family.
She also was very generous and always made sure her family had what they needed. Her generosity also extended to animals, and she was often donating to various charities for pets in need. Wild turkeys were also a favorite of hers, and she hated when turkey season rolled around, knowing that the beautiful creatures she loved were always in danger.
Joann loved being out at the family ranch in the house her parents had built when she was young. Even when she resided in town, she was adamant that whoever might be living at the ranch keep the yard and property up to her standards. On her last visit to the ranch, it is happily reported that she was very pleased with the state of the yard, despite the dry conditions!
Joann, or “Memeies” as she was named by her first grandchild, Sandy, was not a good cook and did not care for getting in the kitchen and “rattling those pots and pans” as she used to say. She was much more apt to call in an order for a mess of fish at Ken’s and treat everyone to dinner. Her only exception to that was if fresh vegetables were involved, then she would happily prepare a feast from the large garden, which Carson was notorious for planting. Her other weakness was a freezer of “cream,” specifically homemade ice cream, of which she was a purist, insisting homemade vanilla was the only flavor one should ever make.
Joann was preceded in death by her husband Carson; her daughter, Jolene Dombrovski; parents, Albert and Mae Gentry; and brother, Warren Gentry.
She is survived by her daughter Barbara Lampert and husband Bruce of Abilene; granddaughter, Sandy Morris of Breckenridge; grandson, Blake Kitchens and wife Desiree of Breckenridge; grandson Will Mazel of Lubbock; great-grandchildren, Lane Morris, Luke Morris, Bryce Kitchens, Brayden Kitchens, Emily Mazel, and Rease Mazel; and great-great-granddaughter Ryleigh Grace Morris. Joann also leaves behind a host of extended family as well as her friends at Wisteria Place in Abilene, where she had made her home for the past six years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the Stephens County Humane Society or the Harpersville Cemetery Association. Condolences can be made online at meltonkitchens.com.
