“Strength and honour are her clothing: and she shall rejoice in time to come. Her children arise up and call her blessed”. (Proverbs 31:25, 28)
Mrs. Esther J. Dabney, our beloved Mother, departed this life and went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Monday, June 6, 2022. Born on November 21, 1926 in Augusta County, Va to the late Luther Jones, Sr. and Archie Jones, she was the third child of 12 children. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and went on to pursue a nursing career at St. Philip School of Nursing in Richmond, Va, where she became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Upon completing nursing school, she moved to Petersburg, VA and worked at Fort Lee Hospital as well as Central State Hospital. While working in Petersburg, she met and married Horace Clarence Dabney and to that union four children were born.
After her husband’s death, she moved back to Waynesboro, VA and continued her career at Waynesboro Community Hospital, King’s Daughters Hospital, The Salvation Army, The Daily Living Center and Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center. In addition to her professional career, she faithfully served God in ministry as a licensed missionary in the Church of God in Christ. She was previously a member of Steadfast Church of God in Christ, in Lyndhurst, VA, where she worked in various capacities including Sunday School teacher and being a member of the choir. She later became a member of Bible Truth Church in Stuarts Draft, VA where she served as the Church Mother. She also served as the District Missionary of the Staunton District Churches of God in Christ. Her love for God was unwavering and her foundation in Him was sure.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Archie Jones; one sister, Nancy Jones; four brothers: David Jones, Nathaniel Jones, Samuel Jones, and Glenwood Jones.
She is survived by her brothers: George Jones of Nyack, NY; Edward Jones of Ypsilanti, MI; Luther Jones (Sadie) of New Windsor, NY; sisters: Ernestine Brooks and Lula Dixon, both of Waynesboro, VA; Corena Jones of Danville, VA, and a sister-in-law, Loretta Jones of Lyndhurst, VA. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Keith Dabney (Brenda), Deborah Dabney-Washington (Theodore), Pamela Brown ( Jimmie); Dana Minor (Elvert); her grandchildren, Diandra Dabney, Tanasshia Brantley, Kaila Brantley, Ciarra Minor, Josiah Washington, Noah Dabney, and great grandchildren, Za’meer Dabney, Skye and Isla Nagy, and a host of nieces and nephews.
A private family burial will be held on Friday, June 10, 2022 at Augusta Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life Service will be held following the burial on June 10, 2022 at 11:30 am at Wayne Hills Baptist Church, 877 Ladd Rd, Waynesboro, VA 22980.
The family of Mrs. Esther J. Dabney wishes to extend our sincerest thanks to the caring staff at the Augusta Health Shenandoah House.
Arrangements entrusted to Charlton & Groome Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc.
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