Lucius Marrion Dees

Lucius Marrion Dees, "L.M." as known to his family and friends, was called home Thursday, October 12, 2006 to be with Our Lord, Our Savior. L.M. suffered from emphysema, a heart condition and kidney cancer. He survived lung cancer and many bouts with cancerous bladder and colon polyps. L.M. had endured a lot over his lifetime, to be here with his family and loved ones. Dad came into this world on Thursday, November 1, 1928 and left us on Thursday, October 12, 2006. He was born in Fruitdale, Alabama to the proud parents of the late Arthur Dees and Viola Harvison Dees. He was the paternal grandson of the late John Wesley Deese and Harriet Jane Gilley Deese and the maternal grandson of the late Charley Harvison and Mary Varilla Anderson Harvison all of Washington County Alabama. He was the brother to the late Audrey Mae Moss, Vivian Devon Crager and Jay Wesley Dees. He was also the father to the late Lucky Marion Dees. Dad leaves behind a brother, William Charlie Dees of Biloxi; two daughters, Sabrina Aloha Roberts and husband Paul of Ocean Springs and Teresa Michelle Tolbert and husband Teddy of Grand Bay, AL; a son, Tracy LaRoy Dees and wife Robin of Vancleave; daughter-in-law, Anna Dees of Biloxi. Dad also leaves behind sixteen grandchildren: Robin, Shane, Christopher, Raini, Brittany, Dakkoda, Jasmine, Kyle, Jessica, Michael, Daniel, Jeremiah, Sara, Tanya, Darryl and Betty and eleven great-grandchildren to carry on his memory. Dad grew up in Washington County, Alabama and here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He joined the Military in 1945 at the early age of 17. He had first joined the Army and then switched over to the Air Force in 1955. He served his country proudly for 20 years. Dad was a Military Veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. During Dad's military career he accomplished many things. One was getting his GED and going on to take some college courses. He received many awards and certificates while in the military. Dad visited places that many of us dream of, like Germany, Japan, The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Korea... Dad chose to bring his family back to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1970 after retiring from the Air Force. He worked for Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula until he had to resign in 1974, due to a broken back. Dad went back to college to get a degree, but had to quit before accomplishing his goal. He finally retired from the working world in 1990, to care for his ailing mother. After her passing, Dad started restoring old vehicles; a dream he had most of his life and a passion he wanted to share with his sons. Dad's most important accomplishment in life to him was his family. He lived for his children and grandchildren. His world revolved around us and we knew it. We could always depend on him no matter how big or small the task at hand. He was always there to lend a helping hand, or to give advice. Dad always wanted the best for us and we always tried to do our best. There were times during our life when we may not have done things exactly the way Dad would have, but he would let us make our own mistakes and be there to make things right. Kinda like when we were little and we would fall and get hurt. Dad was always there to pick us up, brush us off, give us a hug and send us right back out to do it again. Dad … Our foundation has crumbled with you gone, but it is now time for us to pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off, give each other a hug and get back out there to carry on your memory until we see you in heaven. We love you! We will miss you! We would like to thank Quality Hospice for support and kindness for Dad's end of life care. A special thanks goes out to his wonderful loving and caring nurse, Shanna; his nurse’s aids, Callie and Laquita; his social worker, Melissa and to his Minister and family friend, Greg. Thank you all for allowing him to pass with the dignity he so rightfully deserved. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m on Monday, October 16, 2006 at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes. Funeral Services will be follow at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home. Burial will take place at D'Iberville Memorial Park with full military honors.