Athlee Orr Deese

Mrs. Athlee Frances Orr Deese, age 97, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2014 at Woodlawn Haven Rest Home in Mt. Holly. Born in Charlotte on December 26, 1916, she was a daughter of the late David Carl Orr and Bess Porter Orr. Athlee was a faithful member of St. John’s United Methodist Church where she served as Sunday School Secretary. She was also an active volunteer delivery carrier for Friendship Trays from 1981 to 1993.

A graveside service to celebrate her life will be held at 3:00PM, Friday, January 10th with Rev. Dennis Stegall and Rev. Dwayne Stegall officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00PM to 3:00PM prior to the graveside at McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park.

Athlee is survived by a son, James Deese and wife Bethany, of Mt. Holly; a granddaughter, Kristina Reade and husband Mike, of Mt. Holly; a grandson, Brian Deese and wife Amber, of Fairview Heights, IL; two great-granddaughters, Hailey Deese, Ava Deese, both of Fairview Heights, IL; a sister, Ruth O. Stegall and husband Wendell, of Monroe and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Athlee was preceded in death by her husband of fifty eight years, Donald Anthony Deese; two sisters, Marjorie Richardson Summers, Billie Orr Gordon and one brother, James Ray Orr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gaston Hospice/Caromont Health, PO Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054 or Stanley Rescue Squad, 618 S Main Street, Stanley, NC 28164