Mable Dees

Mable Josephine Miller Dees, fondly called Jo, went to be with the Lord our God on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, in the peaceful company of loved ones following a decade long battle with Alzheimer's and most recently cancer. Jo was an amazing mother and grandmother. She raised four children. She then also helped raise 3 grandsons, when her daughter-in-law passed from cancer, at a young age. In her own young motherhood, she loved being an at-home-mother and later an assistant school teacher at Forest Park Elementary, providing even more nurturing to young children. Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Joe Vernon and Louise Miller, her most dedicated husband of 60 years, Joseph Erskine Dees, Jr., her eldest son, Robert Erskine Dees and a wonderful daughter-in-law, Skip. She is survived by sons Gary Dees and his wife, Claire, of Winston-Salem, Mike Dees and his wife, Tammy, of Little River, SC, daughter, Sharon Dees Villafranca and her husband, Bill, of Morrisville, grandchildren Shawn Dees and wife Lori, Brian, Jason, Robbie, Shari Dees Byrum and husband David, Jessica Dees Cleary and husband Bobby, Vincent Villafranca and wife Liz, and Morgan Villafranca. Also by her great grandchildren Tyler, Justice, Kayla, Carson, Brayden, Avery and Maddox. Josephine grew up in Winston-Salem on a farm on Hutton Street with her Granny Nate, parents and surviving younger sister Dorothy Mae (Trippeer) of Marietta, Ga. She attended Christ Moravian Church as a child and raised her family there. She attended Reynolds HS where she met her "Erky". They married in 1947 and had a wonderful life. Her love, Erskine, sadly passed in 2008. Before then, they loved their annual trips to Atlantic Beach and spending time with their family. They loved following their grandkids to sporting events, school functions or just spending time with them. Family was everything. Jo loved to cross-stitch and read, especially her Bible. She loved having lunch at home while watching The Price Is Right and devouring the newspaper after she prepped the evening meal. She was always doing for others before herself. Her kindness and generosity was insurmountable. Once Erskine passed, Jo continued her life at The Danby House in Winston. The care-givers became her family, especially Debra Craft. Debra's love and dedication to Jo was matched by none. The family will always be grateful to her, Jo very happy to have another daughter, and Sharon to have another sister. There will be a graveside celebration of her life at Forsyth Memorial Park on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at 2:00 PM. Family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, please visit an elder care facility and volunteer or make a donation to The Alzheimer's Foundation www.alz.org. Condolences can be made at www.hayworthmiller.com.

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