Jane Eckman Dees

Sally Jane Eckman Dees, 83, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord and Savior on March 15, 2022. She was born on September 1, 1938, in Atlanta, Georgia to Pete and Emily Eckman. She spent much of her youth in Pickens, SC. She was a member of Pickens First Baptist Church and was involved in different programs, but she especially enjoyed GA’s. She loved attending Clemson University football games, but most of all enjoyed spending time with all of her cousins in the Nealy family.

During high school Jane participated in basketball, cheerleading, marching band, and speech team. Upon graduating from Pickens High School, she attended Toccoa Falls Institute where she met the love of her life Charles Dees “Charlie”. Jane and Charlie were married on August 18,1957 in Charlotte, NC. She earned a Bachelors in Education from Toccoa Falls Institute and then completed her Masters of Education at Florida Southern College. Jane served alongside Charlie with the Christian Missionary Alliance in Jacksonville, Sanford, Lakeland and Orlando, Florida. Jane taught private piano lessons and was also a teacher in the elementary school system. In 1970 Jane moved to Orlando, Florida where she served with Charlie at Downey Memorial Church as secretary, church pianist, WMPF leader, youth leader amongst many other roles in the church. Jane and Charlie were blessed with four beautiful children: Leah, Tim, Libby and Andrew.

Jane leaves behind her husband Charlie, her children, Leah Clark(Tim), Tim Dees(Fatima), Libby Catto(Bill), Andrew Dees(Jennie), her grandchildren, Amanda Dingley(Marc), Emily Howell(Luke), Brandon Dees(Kaylee), Colton Catto, Carly Catto, Caleb Catto, Jewelia Dees, Benjamin Dees, Stella Dees, Anthony Garcia-Dees, Jonathan Garcia-Dees and her great grandchildren, Elyssa Clark, William Dingley, Preston Dingley, Everett Dingley, Landon Howell, Lucy Howell, Ella Howell, Emmaline Howell and Braelynn Dees. Jane was preceded in death by both of her parents, Pete Eckman and Emily Nealy Eckman, her brother David Eckman. Jane also leaves behind her beloved sister in law, Carolyn Eckman.

Jane so enjoyed singing and playing the piano. Her other passions included gardening, cooking, sewing and reading. Of course, her favorite passion was her family for which she was so proud of. Jane most treasured her relationship with Jesus and wanted to make sure that those with whom she came in contact with knew HIM also!

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 22nd at 3:00 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Cemetery located at 2420 Harrell Rd, Orlando, FL, 32817. All are invited. Information regarding her Celebration of Life will be posted at a later date and time.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to one of the following mission organizations:

Paradise Mountain Ministries, P.O. Box 635, Toccoa, GA 30577 (paradisemtn.org) or Missionary # 042918 (Greg and Cambie Wilson) SIM USA, 14830 Choate Circle, Charlotte, NC 28273 (www.simusa.org)