Annis Pauline Dowden Dees was born October 18, 1927 in Montrose, Louisiana to her parents, Joseph (Jody) Jefferson Dowden and Myrtie Ann Norsworthy Dowden. They preceded her in death, as well as did her sister, Josie Orene Dowden McGlothlin, and her brother, Joseph Wilson Dowden. Polly passed away July 25, 2024 in College Station, Texas.
Polly attended Kisatchie School and graduated from Orange High School in Anacoco, Louisiana, where she played basketball and softball. She graduated from Louisiana Beauty School in Alexandria at age 19 and worked full time as a cosmetologist until age 90 when she broke her hip; she was the hardest working person we ever knew (and we miss her). Her first job was at McLeroy’s Beauty Salon in Many. She ran several beauty shops throughout the years in Many and Natchitoches, and also worked as an instructor at Guy’s Academy for Cosmetology in Shreveport. In Natchitoches she headed up a large group of people who sold nutritional products, which resulted in her lifelong interest in alternative health. Her last beautician position was at Waldenbrooke Estates in Bryan, Texas where she worked for over two decades. Her customers there were her dear friends.
In addition to being a beautician, Polly worked as a nurse’s aide and as a telephone operator in Many. She also attended Northwestern State University for a brief time to pursue an interest in criminology which came up in short stories, poems, and songs that she wrote, as did her experiences at a survival training workshop. Writing was a lifelong hobby, and as a little girl she had an article published in Progressive Farmer.
As a teenager Polly took the test for entry into the Women’s Army Corps, but the Army lost the test, and she did not go back to retake it, one of her biggest regrets, she said.
Polly met Joseph Clinton Dees at the American Café in Many, and they were married on April 1, 1951 until Joe’s death in 1988. With Joe she enjoyed traveling where he played music in bands, parties at the VFW hall in Many, and riding motorcycles.
Polly is survived by her daughter, Jackie Dees Domingue (husband Bradley) of College Station, Texas, and son Gregory Clinton Dees of Bryan, Texas, as well as three granddaughters: Claire Domingue Boyd (husband Tristan), Camille Domingue, and Ashley Dees, and a step grandson, Christopher Farquer. She also has two great grandtwins, Iris and Knox Boyd, plus nieces Ala Mae McGlothlin Colflesh and Wanda Dowden Pierre.
We would like to thank Sandy Vecchio and Enhabit Hospice for helping us take care of our mother.
Polly had willed her body to the Texas A&M University Medical School. A celebration of life gathering is being planned.