Robert Lewis (Bob) Dabney IV, age 65, of Atlanta, GA, and formerly of Roanoke, VA, died on Sunday, June 3, 2012, after a brief hospitalization. He was the eldest child of Sara Cline Dabney and the late Robert Lewis Dabney III of Roanoke. Bob was born in Roanoke on November 18, 1946. He attended Hampden-Sydney College, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Richmond Professional Institute, now Virginia Commonwealth University. His career was spent as a talented interior designer, ASID, having worked in Charlotte, NC; Rock Hill, SC; and for many years in Atlanta, GA, with his own design business. Being close to design venues and markets was an important part of his life. His talent carried over to landscape design, and his curious mind and creativity spilled over into all areas of his life. Bob enjoyed his career, loved his family, friends and dogs, and had an interest in cars and travel. Many holidays were spent in Roanoke with his family where he added greatly to the celebrations and festivities. He delighted in being with his siblings, and loved their children and grandchildren as if they were his own. Bob will be remembered as a loving son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. His nephews and nieces knew him as outgoing, funny, kind, generous, encouraging, interesting, and devoted. He will be greatly missed. As a relative recently remarked, "Bob made you feel like the most special person in the room when he was talking to you, that there was no one else he'd rather be talking to." Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert L. Dabney III, and devoted friend, Frank Holland. He is survived by his beloved mother, Sara Cline Dabney of Roanoke; sister, Catherine Dabney (Cathye) Edwards and her husband, Senator John Saul Edwards, also of Roanoke; brothers, Thomas Cline (Tom) Dabney of Alexandria, VA, and Dr. Charles William (Bill) Dabney and his wife, Martha Blackburn Dabney of Richmond, VA. Also, nephews and nieces: John S. (Jack) Edwards, Jr., his wife, Kelley Riddle Edwards, and their children, John S. (Trey) Edwards III and Sara Colleen Edwards, of Houston, TX; Dabney Edwards Graney, her husband, Patrick Clifford Graney IV, and their children, Patrick C. Graney V and Charles Chapman Graney, of Houston; Catherine Lewis Edwards of Roanoke; Paula Margaret (Maggie) Dabney and Steven Sidney Dabney of Alexandria; and Anne Lee Dabney and Elizabeth Kennon Dabney of Richmond; and numerous devoted cousins and friends. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Friday, June 15, 2012, at 2 p.m. in Mikell Chapel of The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, The Rev. Carolynne Williams officiating. Interment will follow in St. Philip Memorial Garden. The family will host a reception and receive family and friends at 1 p.m. in the Gould Room of St. Philip. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts honoring Bob may be made to The Cathedral of St. Philip. Online condolences may be made at http://www.fischerfuneralcare.com/guestbook3.php?funeralID=204. 

A memorial service for Mr. Dabney will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 4 p.m. at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, 1837 Grandin Road, Roanoke, VA 24015, The Rev. F. Tupper Garden presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be made at www.fischerfuneralcare.com.
Arrangements by Fischer Funeral Care. 678-514-1000.