Elizabeth Rainey Dabney

Elizabeth Rainey Dabney of Oxford passed away peacefully on the afternoon of August 26th, 2025 after a brave, inspirational battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi where she graduated from Murrah High School in 2003. From there, she attended the University of Mississippi where she was a proud sister of the Nu Beta chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi, serving as President in her senior year and as a long-time advisor. She graduated with a degree in Psychology (2007) and Religious Studies (2010).

Elizabeth was a fiercely loyal and loving friend and sister to all, having touched countless lives through her devotion to her well-loved communities. She was the gold standard of a big sister for the beloved “Brat Pack.” She was an example of hope and triumph through her recovery journey, always quick to lend companionship to those seeking healing from addiction. She made an indelible impact on Big Bad Breakfast, where she served as Minister of Culture and evangelized the virtues of character and selfless service. As an active member of The Breasties, a community for those impacted by breast and gynecologic cancers, lovingly known as “the worst club with the best members,” she strived to build awareness, create access to resources, and build supportive spaces for those thriving and pre-viving with cancer. She was an open book in her four-year-long cancer journey, inspiring others to live life fully in all circumstances. She exemplified the term that she used to describe her attitude toward life: thriver.

She is preceded in death by her grandmother, Marilyn Freeman Zachry; grandfathers, Howard Freeman, James Tucker, Billy Rainey, and her Uncle Danny. She is survived by her loving husband, Conway Dabney; daughter, Abby (Madilyn); her beloved cat, Ruby RN; her parents, Chuck Rainey Sr. and Patricia Freeman; her grandmother, Jeanne Tucker; her siblings, Emmalee (Mike), Chuck (Anna), Billy (Swayze) and Elijah; step-mother, Meredith; parents-in-law, James Conway Dabney II and Nancy Dabney; and countless extended family members, friends and loved ones, particularly from her Big Bad Breakfast family and Breasties community.

Funeral services will be held at The Orchard Oxford on Thursday, August 28th at 3:00 pm with visitation preceding from 1:00 – 3:00. Rev. Eric George and Rev. Pat Ward will serve as officiants. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Breasties or Metavivor to make a transformative impact on individuals impacted by cancer by providing essential funding to The Breasties programming events, educational resources, and stage 4 breast cancer research.