Dorothy A. Deese

Dorothy A. “Dotty” Deese, age 87, of Battle Creek, passed away Friday, January 13, 2017. She was born February 5, 1929 in Blytheville, Arkansas the daughter of Henry Frank and Gladys Marie (Bess) Abbott. Dotty was a graduate of Battle Creek Central High School and had worked at the Lakewood Inn as a waitress/hostess as well as the Harper Inn. She first worked at the Percy Jones Hospital where she met Bobby Lee Deese, and they were married on March 22, 1949. Dotty was an active member of American Legion Post 298 Auxiliary and most recently was the Sergeant at Arms and responsible for funeral luncheons. She is survived by her three children: Larry (Sue) Deese, Karen (Phillip) Thurston and Sandie (Larry) Palmer; six grandchildren,  including a special granddaughter Kristi Voshell who took excellent care of her grandmother the last week, thirteen great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren; four brothers and sisters: Anna VanDenBos, Frank (Mary) Abbott, George Abbott and Johnnie Green; many nieces and nephews. Dotty was preceded in death by her parents, former husband Bobby Lee Deese in 2004, two brothers: Tommy and Charles Andrews, and two sisters: Francis Bates and Loma Grandon.  The family will receive friends at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. A luncheon to celebrate Dotty’s life will be held immediately following the visitation at the American Legion Post 298. A private family graveside will be held at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be directed to Great Lakes Caring Hospice or American Legion Post #298. www.henryfuneralhome.org