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Bessie James Dees was born on Jan. 1, 1930 to Ike and Lillie James in Hope Hull. At a young age, she married her late husband, Allen Dees Sr., and settled down in Atmore. Dees had nine children.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her children, Patricia Geraldine, Allen Jr., Alvin, Calvin (Deese), Doris Jean Mosley and Brenda Brewster; siblings, Ike, Joel, Warren, Thomas, Savannah, Mabel lee James; and granddaughters, Felecia Wiggins, Latiana Deese Richardson, Christina Phillips and Rodney America.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories two loving and devoted daughters, Bessie Mae Felder of Atmore and Mattie Scott of New Haven, Conn.; a stepdaughter, Mary Dees America of Atmore; a devoted great-grandson, Adonis Williams, also known as Pop; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and great-great grandchildren.