Dolores M. Deveraux

Dolores “Dee” Deveraux entered this world on February 28, 1929, as Dolores Mae Smith, born to Grace Treas and Richard Smith.

After growing up around her birthplace, Sunbury, Pennsylvania, Dee married her first husband, Robert Edmonson, who fathered Dee’s two loving children, Bobbie Jo Ann and Robert. A short while later, she found true love and happiness with Florian Duke, who became a devoted stepfather to her children into their early adulthood. Though God called Duke home early in 1970, Dee continued to fill her life with cherished friends and numerous passions: she danced to music that moved her soul; she cultivated a home bursting with plants and flowers, bowled in national tournaments—also teaching her grandkids to bowl—and waterski, swim, and fish.

Though Dee loved to have fun, she worked hard to support herself. Rea & Derick Drugs was happy to call her a long-time employee, and many friends and family sat for haircuts after Dee graduated from beautician school. When she could get away from work, she loved to travel, visiting 48 states and the attractions they held.

Anyone who knew Dee knew she loved to keep her body and her mind in shape, so much so that she was still attending twice-weekly yoga classes at 92 years of age. And up till her last days, Dee was reading books and news articles, particularly those about health and medicine. 

Dee’s creativity could not escape notice either, whether it was decorating for holidays, adding nail polish to her eyeglass frame to make them a unique work of art, or conjuring up makeshift costumes to take the prize in many contests.

She was a self-proclaimed “tough old bird” but never dressed like one. Wherever she went, she dressed with class and flare, never sacrificing her style and matching accessories for comfort and age—which is why Dee was invited to be a member of the “Best Dressed” club at the Essex House, where she joyfully spent her last year of life, attending concerts, bazaars, and other events.

She leaves to celebrate her life children Bobbie Jo Ann Granderson (Mack), Robert Edmonson (JoAnn), grandchildrend Angie Longacre, Jennifer Stasiak (Dan), Johnathan Edmonson (Felicia), Michael Edmonson (Trinady) six great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren, many beloved family and dear friends (too numerous to mention).