Phillip E Dabbs

Phillip Eugene Dabbs passed peacefully July 7th. Born in Durham, Ides of March 1930, to Cluster Eugene Dabbs of Clay County Alabama and Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Hester Dabbs of Durham. The third of four siblings, during the difficult years of depression Phil learned to make good. With the mind of a mechanical engineer, he learned the machines of Tonawanda metal casting, Erwin Mills, Burlington Mills and Gunter & Cooke. In each position mastering all there was to learn and finally ending up traveling the nation and the world for Cotton Inc. His passports stamped in over 51 countries on five continents, Phil worked wherever foreign mills needed help processing American cotton, troubleshooting and promoting textile production and U.S. Cotton. Phil saw more than a garment; he saw the type of cotton, the mechanics of the machines and the spirit of the people that fabricated it. Phil's mechanical genius was matched by charisma and musical abilities. He recalls that he "could not remember when he could not play a guitar". And lived long enough to play for John Denver. Twenty-one years ago, with neighborhood friend Betty Compton, he began Pickin' and Grinnin', a weekly jamboree, gathering and exhibition of old time and gospel music in Cedar Grove which continued in Schley until Covid. Predeceasing Phil are his parents, his first wife, Agnes Wycoff "Gerry" Dabbs, and second wife, Virginia Louise Pratt, his sister Naomi Wilson, his brother Aaron Dabbs, sister Sarah Goode; and Joshua Love. He is survived by his sister-in-law Carol Janney and brother-in-law Odell Fleming (Hazel), sons Randy Dabbs (Ruth) and Samuel Dabbs, step daughter Judy Bryan (Andrew), step son Robert Pratt (friend Yuan Wang), step daughter Charlene Pratt, step son-in-law Michael Watson, and grandchildren Samantha Dabbs, Colette and Scott Love, David Pratt, Elliott Pratt, Brianna Pratt, Chris Watson and great-grandchildren Ellery, Merritt, Camren and Lillian. Phil expresses a special thank you to his team of devoted caregivers and to Jon Lyerly. Services arrangements have been made with Walker's Funeral Home, Hillsborough, NC. A visitation will be from 6:00PM to 8:00PM on Friday, July 9, 2021 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church in Cedar Grove, NC. Flowers are welcome and memorials in Phil's honor can be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, 5218 Efland-Cedar Grove Road, Cedar Grove, NC 27231.