Anne (Smith) Dees

Anne Elizabeth Smith Dees  75, passed away on Friday, February 25, 2022 in Fayetteville, NC.
 

 She was born on December 30, 1946 in Quantico, Virginia to Mercer Richard Smith and Marion Elizabeth Dalgarn Smith.  As the daughter of a Marine Corps Lt. Col., Anne moved a great deal during her upbringing, including to North Carolina, California, Hawaii, Florida and Virginia.

She graduated from Longwood College in Farmville VA and moved to Germany with the USO. That is where she met and married Ronald Madison Dees in 1969. They settled on the East Coast, between North Carolina and Virginia.

In 1970, Anne gave birth to her only daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) Averitte Dees (Gatti).  She worked as a teacher, helped run a family restaurant, and spent many years working for associations and non-profits as a writer/editor.  

Anne was a great lover of the outdoors, spent much time traveling, and enjoyed cooking, walking/hiking, spending time with her family and friends, and taking care of her various pets over the years. Anne was a very special woman: kind to everyone, welcoming to all, always with a sparkle in her eyes and good words of encouragement.

Anne’s daughter passed away in 2009 and Ron died in 2020. Anne is survived by her Son-in-Law and his wife, Jon and Lisa Gatti, her grandson, Connor Gatti, her brother and his wife, Dick and Debbie Smith, her nieces and nephews, and Ron’s family members here in Fayetteville, as well as her three cats—Mikey, Elvis and Lucy.  

She will be sorely missed by those who knew her, but we celebrate that she is finally home with Ron and Beth.  In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Anne’s name to the National Kidney Foundation at https://www.kidney.org/donation .

 A private service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be sent to http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301

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