Frank Dabney

FRANK DAVID DABNEY, husband of Rachel Scearce Dabney, of Danville, saw a glorious daybreak when he went home to be with his Lord and Savior early Wednesday morning, June 26, 2019, following five weeks of declining health.      Born on February 25, 1930, in Rock Hill, SC, he was sixth of nine children born to the late Thomas Fleming Dabney and Betty Bumgardner Dabney.      Frank was a 1952 graduate of Clemson University’s ROTC program, where he earned his BS degree in Textile Engineering.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army as a 1st. Lieutenant, Quartermaster Corps, in Paris, France during the Korean Conflict.  While in the military, he traveled all over Europe in his own automobile which was shipped to him by the Army.  His Colonel was his traveling companion and he brought back many humorous, happy and some very heart-breaking stories of his adventures.  Frank remained a dedicated patriot of America for the rest of his life.       He was a strong conservative and supporter of the Republican Party at the local, State and National levels.  He was an active member of the Danville Republican Committee serving in numerous positions over the years.   Frank was a former member of the American Legion, the Christian Men’s Club, The German Club, the Jaycees, Exchange Club, the Salvation Army, and numerous other civic organizations.  Frank’s kindness, gallantry and friendly demeanor made it easy for him to make friends.  He was a true Southern Gentleman.         While at Clemson, Frank was recruited by Dan River, Inc. where his career spanned a 40-year period, retiring in 1993 as Technical Superintendent.  Frank was also an entrepreneur, creating two businesses which he privately owned and managed, a new mobile home sales business, and Dabney Rentals, a residential real estate company.  He enjoyed working, being productive, and sharing the fruits of his labor.  He was a generous contributor to many charities for which he had a passion.  He loved music and was an accomplished dancer for the greater part of his life.        A man of deep abiding faith, Frank was never a worrier but a man of action.  He was a member of First Baptist Church for 28 years, a long-time member of Westover Baptist and currently a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church.       Frank is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Rachel, and by two daughters, Frances Pamela Dabney, of Raleigh, and Debra D. Hinton and husband Joe, of Eden, NC., a grandson, David Dabney Hinton, of Southern Pines, NC, a sister, Patricia (Tish) Dabney Lorick, as well as numerous and much loved nieces and nephews, among them most specially Sandra Hannon and Melinda Williams, daughters of his sisters, Lucile Dabney Furr Clark and Betty Dabney Williams, respectively.  Also left to miss Frank is his dedicated and faithful caregiver, Shawn McLaughlin.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife and the mother of his children, Lydia Virginia Davis Dabney, three brothers and four sisters, and his first grandson, William Joseph Hinton.    The family will receive friends at Townes Funeral Home, 215 West Main Street, on Sunday, June 30, 2019, from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.  The funeral service, conducted by Dr. James (Doug) Barber, will follow the visitation at 3:00 p.m. also at Townes Funeral Home Chapel.   Burial will be private on early Monday morning.  The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services PO Box 98018 Washington DC 20090-8018; or to Woodlawn Baptist Church, 2500 Westover Drive, Danville, VA 24541 or Westover Baptist Church, 5665 Riverside Drive, Danville, VA 24541.                                “love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”  Kahil Gibran…