Atlee D. Dease

On December 22, 1916, in Marlboro County, Township of Bennettsville, South Carolina, ATLEE D. DEASE was born to the late Lela Vance and Ernest Douglas. She was blessed to have an older sister Ollie Mae who predeceased her just three years ago also during the blessed Easter Season. Atlee affectionately known as “Mom Mom” to many, was educated in Marlboro County, and attended boarding school in Bennettsville, and graduated from the Normal school. She grew up in a Christian household and accepted GOD as her anchor and personal savior at a very early age. Her family attended Aaron Temple4 united Methodist Church, In South Carolina Atlee met and married the love of her life, the late Anthony Dease. Shortly after their union, she and her husband followed her older sister Ollie and brother-in -law the late Malcolm Smith to Baltimore to experience the up North living opportunities and to expose their children to an atmosphere of enhanced education and career opportunities that were not as readily accessible to African-Americans in the Deep South They lived with her Aunt the late Rosa “Dochia” Dunlap, who was their Baltimore mother. Atlee’s four children Leroy, Eleanor, Anthony and the late Gordon were the motivation behind her hard work and steadfast commitment to providing a good life For them. “Mom Mom” was an awesome home-maker, disciplinarian and always with a soft tongue and loving “Spirit”. Shortly after arriving in Baltimore, she joined Waters A.M. E. Church under the guidance of Pastor H. E Walden over 75 year’ ago. In recent years, she earned the honor and respect as a Matriarch of the Church. Mrs. Dease was el4cted to serve as Chaplain of the Senior Usher Board, because of the admiration that her church members felt for her . Additionally, she often worshipped at Southern Baptist Church with her husband. Atlee was very industrious and retired from the state of Maryland as a Dietician. In addition, she worked as a beautician for many years after graduating from Madam C. J. Walker‘s Beauty Culture School in 1945. Volunteerism was an important part of her life. Atlee was an active and faithful Christian servant. She and her sister were involved in the Retired and Senior Volunteer program, (RSVP), serving as a Receptionist for the Baltimore City Court House, and participating as a hostess at the Centenarians Annual Luncheon were experiences she cherished. Style and grace were Atlee’s attributes. She was always admired for her immaculate dress, known for her attention to detail and the latest fashions. Many persons young and old admired her lady like style and her ability to be sophisticated and still demure. She would make frequent trips down South, referred to as down home to visit family and take clothes to her younger relatives. Atlee joined the Prince Hall Order of Eastern Star under her husband who was a prince Hall Mason. Additionally, she was a member of the Northern Charity Club (NCC), like many of her generation; Atlee was not a frequent flyer. NCC afforded her the opportunity to travel the country with family and close friends on a chartered bus. Mrs. Dease was also an active member of thee “Carolinians”, a social Group of natives from North and South Carolina who stayed connoted with Southern Home experiences. Mom Mom enjoyed cooking and was often asked to share her culinary skills for events that her children hosted. Mrs. Dease was a praying woman, and always had a word of encouragement to share with her children, niece’s nephews and other family reflecting on Christ. Atlee was proud of the academic and professional accomplishments of her children. You would often here her mentioning her eldest son’s dedicated service to a company that he has been employed for many years, moving up the ranks to eventually becoming a “salary man”. Mom Mom would advise her children and grandchildren to get their lesson (work hard in school) and make sure you get a good job with a good pension. She would also share how her only daughter had risen up through the ranks of Federal Government until retirement. Then there were her two youngest sons who both graduated from Morgan State University and later furthered their education at Hunter College, N.Y. and University of Baltimore, respectively. One of her proudest moment, was witnessing her only granddaughter Terri, earn her PhD, from University of Maryland, College Park, Mom Mom was very instrumental in raising Terri and providing nurturing for her son Trey. A few hours before her passing, Mom Mom had her granddaughter recite the 23rd Psalm for her, a prayer she had taught her, and one they had recited together many times. On Palm Sunday March 24, at 8:50 am, Atlee’s Lord and Savior stopped by Joseph Richey Hospice to take her home to Glory. Atlee leaves to cherisher memory: a devoted daughter, Eleanor of Baltimore; two sons, Leroy (Shirley) of North Carolina and Anthony of Baltimore; one brother, James Williams (Dorothy) of Baltimore; five grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephew, cousins, loving and supportive church family and friends.

Tributes

Atlee D. Dease

December 22, 1916 - March 24, 2013