Evelyn P Deese

Evelyn was born in Asheville NC and grew up in Pahokee, Florida. Upon graduation from Pahokee High School in June 1956, she moved to Charlotte where she met Brady Deese. They were married in 1957.

A skilled seamstress, Evelyn managed Piedmont Fabrics of Charlotte, NC for more than a decade. After her husband’s death in 1983, she was employed by Presbyterian Hospital in materials management until her retirement at the age of 61.

She was a voracious reader and often read an entire paperback in one day! She held season tickets to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center for many years and enjoyed attending performances regularly with friends. She loved to work in the yard and won “Yard of the Month” on numerous occasions.

Thanksgivings and Christmases at Mama D’s were the highlight of the year when her home overflowed with family, friends, neighbors and, most every year, with strangers as well. Everyone knew that if they had friends or family with nowhere to go for the holidays, they would be enthusiastically welcomed by Mama D, who celebrated them like they were her own.

Evelyn loved to sew, knit, crochet, and make jewelry & Christmas ornaments by hand! At the age of 79, she accomplished her goal to crochet a handmade Afghan for all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Evelyn was proceeded in death by her husband, Brady Fernando Deese, Jr. of Charlotte, NC and her granddaughter, Emily Ann Deese of Lakeland, FL.

She is survived by two children, Mark Deese of Charlotte and Melissa Deese Thornton (and husband, Tim) of Indian Land, SC; four grandchildren, Josiah Prince (and wife, Heather) of Nashville, TN, Micah Prince of Lancaster, SC, Andrew Deese (and fiancée Grace Weatherman) of Charlotte and Stephen Prince of Charlotte; one step grandson, Kevin Thornton (and fiancée, Megan Hatfield); one grandson-in-law, David McElvaney; and three great grandchildren, Evelyn Prince and Dawson Prince of Nashville and Brady Deese of Charlotte.

Evelyn was served in her last days by Via Health Hospice where donations can be made in her name.