Betty Jean McLanahan Dees
Betty Dees, of Florien, Louisiana, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the Many Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center. She died at the age of 96. Betty was born on September 14, 1926 to her parents Amos and Ruth McLanahan. She also had two brothers, Milton and Ralph McLanahan. Betty attended Florien High School and furthered her education at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. During college, she met her sweetheart, W. L. Dees, Jr., and they were married on June 4, 1948. Betty and her husband resided in Florien and were married for 55 years. Her time in Florien was spent teaching, which she did for 33 years. She was known for loving her students and pushing them to greater heights. Betty had three children, Phil Dees, Vic Dees, and Sara Dees Goss as well as many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Betty was a member of First Baptist Church of Florien, La. until 2010 when she moved her letter to Calvary Baptist Church in Many, La She was a regular attender who looked forward to Sundays when she had the opportunity to worship Christ with other believers. Her favorite scripture was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” She also loved missions and never passed up an opportunity to help further the Gospel. Betty loved to sew, bake, and do almost anything if it meant she could serve someone. You never saw her without something in her hands or something in the oven. She cherished the time spent with her family and friends and always made sure that their stomachs and hearts were full whenever it was time to say goodbye. Betty is proceeded in death by her parents, Amos and Ruth McLanahan, brothers, Milton and Ralph McLanahan, husband, W. L. Dees Jr., son, Phil Dees, and great grandson, Ty Veuleman. She is survived by her children, Vic Dees and Sara Dees Goss, as well as a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at 1pm on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at Calvary Baptist Church in Many, La. A funeral service will take place at 2pm following the visitation and burial will be at the Florien Cemetery. If you would like to honor her memory, contributions can be made to the Honduras Mission Trip Scholarship at Calvary Baptist Church in Many, La.
Honoring her as pallbearers are Brandon Dees, Ryan Dees, Chad Goss, Stacy Veuleman, Cory Adcock, and Justiss Cline.
