Dhirajben “Dee Dee” Manubhai Patel, 77, passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2024 in Saraland, Alabama. She was born the oldest of five to Chhotabhai Shivabhai Patel and Zaverben Nathabhai Patel on March 16, 1947 in Vadadla, India. Dee Dee helped establish one of the oldest establishments in Saraland – the Plantation Motel. Every sibling, niece, and nephew lived at the Plantation Motel before venturing off to their prospective cities. She was a strong pillar in keeping the motel a family-owned memory. Dee Dee loved to sing, dance, and laugh. Her favorite pastime was telling stories from how she met her “honey”, her husband, Manubhai. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Dee Dee was a rare breed – with her, what you saw was what you got. She loved hard and laughed harder. Dee Dee will be missed greatly by anyone who was blessed to know her, and we know she will be watching over her loved ones for a lifetime to come.
Dee Dee is survived by her husband, Manubhai; children, Maya (Vamsikumar), Shilpa, and Nikhil; grandchildren, Sheenal, Meenal, Keenan, Malena, and Nia; sisters, Kokila (Naginlal), Sudha (Rashmikant), and Jyotsna (Kiritlal); a brother, Sanjay (Kiran); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and other cherished family and friends.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Pine Crest Funeral Home on Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile, with a funeral ceremony beginning immediately after.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (see link).
