Elsie Elaine Calloway Dees age 83, of Hermitage, AR passed Saturday, August 14 at Life Touch Hospice in El Dorado, AR. She was born January 8, 1938 in Shreveport, LA a daughter of the late Joe Lee and Naughvelle Futch Calloway. She was a homemaker, a registered nurse, and the chief financial officer of Dees Brothers Gulf Station. She also spent her days farming cattle, managing timber, and babysitting family. She served on the board of directors that established the Hermitage Health Clinic. She was a member of Farmville Missionary Baptist Church and wife to the late Thomas Linwood Dees, Sr. whom she married on March 2, 1963. Also, preceding her in death are her brothers Clarence Abner Calloway, Billy Ray Calloway, and Huey Wayne Calloway and her sisters Chlorene Elver Calloway Jones, Sallie Thelma Calloway Ham, Allie Melba Calloway Cantley, and Leola Calloway Burns.
She is survived by two sons, David Allen Dees and spouse Rhonda and Thomas Linwood Dees Jr. all of Hermitage, AR; her brother Victor Lee Calloway, Boston, Mass. and sisters Sudie Vernessa Calloway Garner, Eldorado, AR, Martha Jean Calloway House, Huntsville, Ala, and Joann Calloway Smiley, Shreveport, LA; two grandchildren Brittany Renea Dees Leek and spouse Derek of Wilmar, AR and Lauren Ashley Dees Bryant and spouse Corey of Hampton, AR; three great-grandchildren Brody Allen Bryant and Hadleigh Kate Bryant of Hampton, AR and Peyton Alan Leek of Wilmar, AR; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was 2 p.m. Thursday, August 19, 2021 at Frazer’s Chapel of the Chimes with officiants, Melvin Mills and Billy Biggs. Graveside service with Harold Cantley, officiant, followed at Holly Springs Cemetery, Hermitage. Active pallbearers were Henry Pat Cantley, Joe Cantley, Melvin Mills, Ronald Dale Burch, Joe Don Greenwood, Derek Leek, Corey Bryant, and Curt Dees. Burial by Frazer’s Funeral Home. Online www.frazerfuneralhome.com