Annie Doris "McNeal" Dabbs

Annie Doris “McNeal” Dabbs, a pillar of her Tarpon Springs Community- Active, Respected, and Influential, departed this earthly life for eternal rest with the Lord on March 31, 2023, at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, Charles County, Maryland surrounded by her loving and dutiful family.

The daughter of the late Goldstein and Lelia Baker McNeal, Annie Doris “McNeal” Dabbs was born in Tarpon Springs, Florida, the fourth of nine children born to this union.

Annie Doris “McNeal” Dabbs was preceded in death by her husband James H. Dabbs, Sr.; brothers: James Baker, Jewell Lee McNeal, Robert McNeal, Goldstein McNeal, Jr., and Philmore McNeal; sisters: Ernestine Crawford, Juanita Campbell, and Norma Jean Brown.

As a child, Ms. Dabbs attended Union Academy School in Pinellas County, Florida and graduated from Pinellas High School, Clearwater, Florida in 1955. After a few years working in preschool and early childhood education, in 1980, she began a career with the Pinellas County School System. An educator of 31 years, two years with Latch Key Child Development Center and twenty-nine years in Drop-out Prevention Education.

Ms. Dabbs was a dedicated and active servant of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Tarpon Springs, Florida. She loved her church community and became an eager and faithful member of Mt. Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church, Tarpon Springs, Florida, until her passing. In both ministries, she served in various capacities, Sunday School Teacher, Director of Christian Education, President of Missionary Society, Secretary, Stewardess Board, Trustee Board, Chairman of Women’s Day, and Church Anniversary Programs.

As a public servant, Ms. Dabbs was active and engaged in religious, community, civic, and political organizations, including the W. E. James Court No 76 Heroines of Jericho Florida Jurisdiction, P. H. A., Sarah Lark Council No 10 A Heroines of Jericho, Union Academy Neighborhood Development Corporation, Tarpon Springs Citizens Task Force, Helen Ellis Hospital Foundation, National Council of Negro Women: Education Committee, and Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County, just to name a few.

Ms. Dabbs deeply believed, “what I have learned is not mine to keep, if I am to grow in the grace of Jesus Christ, it must be shared.” Life cannot be lived to the fullness without the knowledge and presence of Jesus Christ in our lives. In the Old and New Testament, the rules are very clear, and Jesus taught in simple parables that this is a life of giving and receiving; and it is more blessed to give than to receive. Ms. Dabbs often quoted, “with God all things are possible, and knowing that, I am fully equipped for the divine plan of my life, and I am fearless in grasping opportunities to give service.”

Annie Doris “McNeal” Dabbs leaves to cherish dearly her everlasting memory her children: Doranetta Y. “McNeal” Porter of Temple Hills, Maryland, Stanley L. McNeal of Tarpon Springs, Florida, Georgia A. (Gary) Lucas of Clinton, Maryland, and James H. Dabbs, Jr. of Orlando; grandchildren: Iris L. (Dewitt, Sr.) Partlow of Brandywine, Maryland, Goldie L. (Juan) Cannon of Brandywine, Maryland, Jihan (James) McNeal Worley of Casa Grande, Arizona, Genesis L. (Noel) Robinson of Clinton, Maryland, James H. Dabbs and Essence Dabbs of Tarpon Springs, Florida; great grandchildren: Dewitt Partlow, Jr. of Brandywine, Maryland, Lelia Hobley of Casa Grande, Arizona, Nyla L. Robinson of Clinton Maryland, Loyalty Worley of Casa Grande, Arizona, Noah L. Robinson of Clinton, Maryland, Envy Worley of Casa Grande, Arizona, Jace Lucas Cannon of Brandywine, Maryland, and Zamiyah Smith of Clinton, Maryland; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 on Friday, April 14 and the funeral service will be held at 10:00 on Saturday, April 15, both held at Mt Moriah AME Church, 722 South Disston Avenue, Tarpon Springs. Interment will follow at Rose Cemetery.

Vinson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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