Nancy Louise Houston Dabbs of Ocoee, Florida, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully on May 29th, 2021, at the age of 81, joining her loving husband. Born in Newton, North Carolina, on September 25, 1939, she led a selfless life of service to her church, community, and family. Although Nancy suffered from late‑stage Alzheimer’s Disease and her memory had faded, she touched the lives of her family, friends, and caregivers with her love that shone through the light in her beautiful blue eyes.
After graduating from Newton-Conover High School, in Newton, North Carolina, and Appalachian State Teachers College, in Boone, North Carolina, Nancy moved to Florida and began her teaching career at the original Ocoee High School. There, she met and married her husband, J. Lester Dabbs, Jr., in 1962, and together they built a strong and loving family. An integral part of the Ocoee community as both a teacher and member of Ocoee United Methodist Church (now Ocoee Oaks United Methodist Church), Nancy was dedicated to improving the lives of everyone she met. Nancy will be remembered for her impressive intelligence, sweet and caring nature, and her eternal love of ice cream.
Nancy is survived by her four children: Leslie Dabbs Allen (Patrick), Joanna Dabbs Butler (Kevin), Natalie Dabbs Hatch (Wally), and Jack Christian Dabbs II, and nine grandchildren: Calla Butler, Zachary Allen, Garrett Butler, Jacob Allen, Kelton Butler, Emily Allen, Caroline Allen, Delaney Hatch, and Makenna Hatch. Nancy is also survived by her siblings, Jerry Houston, Janet Wilson (Jim), and Pamela Kupetz (Bill); sisters-in-law, Jeannie Houston, Cathy Houston, and Velva Graves; brother-in-law, Walter Dabbs (Virginia); many cousins, nieces, nephews, and their children. Nancy was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years; parents Dewey and Hazel Houston; brothers Neil and Charles Houston; and two granddaughters, Susanna Hope Butler and Camryn Makenna Hatch.
The family will be receiving visitors on Thursday, June 3, 2021, at Loomis Funeral Home, 420 West Main Street, Apopka, Florida 32712. The funeral service will be Friday, June 4, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., at the Ocoee Lake Shore Center, 125 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, Florida 34761.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association, www.act.alz.org ; Smile Train, www.donate.smiletrain.org ; or Sipe’s Orchard Home, www.sipesorchardhome.org .