grave import

Obituary

Vivian Jean Dabney, 84, blessed Elmer Wallace and Robbie Ann (Burkett) Taylor on July 5, 1925. She was called home to be with Our Heavenly Father at 7:30 a.m. Friday, January 8, 2010, at Burlington Care Center. She married Robert D. Harris June 28, 1942, in Kahoka, Missouri. Jean and Robert divorced in 1965. On November 4, 1967, she married Osro (Os) O. Dabney in Mundelein, Illinois at the Methodist Church. She is greatly missed and loved by her husband, Os; brother, Eston (Alberta) Taylor; daughter, Becky Jean (Arlan) Bangs; twin daughters, Bobby Fern Link and Barby Wallace Kirby, all of Burlington; stepchildren, Charles D. Dabney of Omaha, Nebraska, Ronald D. (DeeDee) Dabney of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Connie Dabney of Burlington; grandchildren, Dallas (Anita) Parker of Trenton, Roxy Jean Shields, Robie Lee (David) Escher, Rusty Ola Ragee Bangs, Austin Warren Kirby, all of Burlington; great-grand-children, Hailee and Shelbee Shields, Jarrett and Jacey Escher, Meloy Armstrong, Jayden Kirby, Dakota, Dalton and Daryn Parker, and great-great-grandson, Daryl Parker. Called home before her were her parents; brother, Estel (Tiny); and sisters, Esther Alice Thomman and Edith Carol Taylor. Jean was born at her family home in Ballard Community, south of Kahoka, Missouri. In 1931, she moved to the Mount Sterling area, where she attended Jordan School for eight years in Clark County, Missouri. Later she lived with her Aunt Ethel and Uncle Glen Bourgeois, where she attended her first year of high school at Ballard, Missouri, then her next two years of high school were at Granger, Missouri. In 1960 Jean graduated Burlington High School with the first GED class. As a young teen she was baptized in a pond and joined First Baptist Church of Ballard, Missouri. When she married her wonderful husband she joined the First United Methodist Church in Burlington. Most recently Os and Jean transferred their memberships and have become very active in the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) helping in the kitchen, with Journey for Jesus, and CROP. With the birth of her twin brothers, Jean started helping her daddy around the farm, driving a Fordson tractor with steel wheels. At eight years old, Jean and her sister Esther milked eight cows each morning and night. Their family was poor, but had lots of fresh veggies, eggs, cream and milk to share with neighbors who needed it. Her grandma Minnie and Mother Robbie were outstanding cooks, and Jean's daughters were good students. Jean's expertise was book-keeping. She worked at Benner Tea Co. 10 years, Bennett Home Center, Bob's Stage Coach, Oasis Supper Club, Montgomery Wards five years, Harris Plumbing and Heating 15 years, and Big River Lumber 15 years. She had to retire due to health problems. From 1942 to 1945 she played and was manager of girls softball in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She and friend, Ruth Halgren, were scout leaders for six years at Prospect Hill School. She was a member of the pinochle group for 10 years, bowled on a team at Burlington Bowl for several years, member of Circle Square B Square Dance Club, and rang the Christmas Bell for Salvation Army with her great-grandson, Jarrett Escher. Os was a driver for Trailways while Jean was a hostess. She also was a hostess in Arizona for the Christmas Day bus of homeless to a free Christmas dinner, where they also received gifts, blankets, and apples to take with them. For Jean, if her girls were happy, so was she. Friends may call after 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 13th, in Lunning Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. The funeral service for Mrs. Jean Dabney will be 10:30 Thursday, January 14th, in Lunning chapel. The Revs. Tom Smith and Dean Benton will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A memorial has been established for First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).