Judy "Dee" Dalton

Judy Dianne "Dee" Dalton of Ocean Springs, passed away at her home on October 17, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was only 52. Born in Panama City, FL on February 2, 1959, she married her childhood sweetheart and dedicated her life to traveling with him and raising a family as he served in the Armed Forces. During that time, she lived in Alaska and Hawaii before they were transferred to Keesler Air Force Base and settled in Ocean Springs 23 years ago. Diane loved gardening, fishing, animals and being with family and friends. She also loved her work. Known as "Dee" by everyone she worked with, she spent 19 years as a dedicated administrative legal assistant in Gulfport. During those years, she made many friends in the various judicial offices and law offices with which she dealt and she held those friendships close. She will be dearly missed by many and never forgotten. Dianne left this life to join her parents, James and Eloise Gordon, her grandparents, Tommy and Mamie Gordon and Woodrow and Ellen Thames. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband and best friend of 36 years, Paul; her son, Michael and wife Amanda of Caryville, FL; a daughter, Amanda Upchurch and husband Mike of Ocean Springs; six grandchildren, Destin, Avery, Addie, Tyler, Dade and Aeryn; her sisters, Cindy Gordon of Marianna, FL and Lisa Gordon of Birmingham, AL; her niece, Brittany Gordon and nephew, Jason Maggard; her stepmother, Vitana; her longtime friends, Pat, Ethel and Paula and many other friends and family. In addition, she will be dearly missed by her 3 Boston Terriers, Dancer, Georgia and Annie. Visitation is planned for Tuesday, October 18, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 at Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs before she will be taken home to Florida for burial. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made in her honor to the Pink Heart Funds or St. Joseph Hospice.