Vera Deese

Obituary of Vera Frances Deese

Vera Frances Prince Baldree Deese, 92, of Clewiston, FL passed away peacefully on November 3, 2021 in the Clewiston Nursing Home.

Frances was born in Plant City, FL, on May 10, 1929, to Grady Prince and Sadie (Capley) Prince. She lived in the Tampa area before moving to Clewiston in the early 1950s. Frances was an entrepreneur, way ahead of her time. She tackled every job with energy and enthusiasm. Throughout her working years, she co-owned the family-operated, Baldree’s Grocery store. She worked in the direct sales market offering multiple product lines such as Beeline clothing, Studio Girl cosmetics and Lifetime cookware. Frances was the previous owner of Clewiston Florist, along with her business partner Opal Hancock. She worked as a real estate agent, bakery owner, and school bus driver. Frances was very artistic and taught her children how to make something beautiful out of next to nothing. She is fondly remembered by many for her quick-spun handmade ribbon roses, by her family for Sunday dinners, by her grandchildren for homemade biscuits, an endless supply of Oreos and cartwheels well into her 60s, and, by her bus riders for putting happy, and toothless, smiles on their faces. She was a devoted Christian and long-time member of the Evangel Assembly of God, where she previously served as Sunday school teacher, secretary and sang in the choir. She was a big fan of Minnie Pearl and often enjoyed impersonating her and telling her jokes. In recent years, when Frances had callers or visitors, she would ask them to pray that the Lord would take her to the heavenly home she so fervently longed for. In His perfect timing, the Lord graciously answered her prayer, and we might imagine she entered the pearly gates with a jubilant, how-DEE!!

Frances is survived by her daughter Oveida (Paul) Shackleford, daughter Gayle (Mike) Davis, brother Charles (Betty) Prince, brother James “Jimmy” (Linda) Prince, sister Evelyn Coleman, sister Joyce (Richard) Sommers, daughters-in-law JoAnn Baldree and Vicky Baldree and sister-in-law Peggy Prince.

Grandchildren Pam (Tracy) Moorman, Angela Baldree, Erika (Mark) Sabatos, Belinda Lee, P.J. (Stephanie) Baldree, Rebecca (Eric) Price, Shanna (Sam) Lupica, Sarah (David) Pittman, Michael (Cheri) Baldree, Tashahnda (Steve) Coody and Michael Clasen.

Great-grandchildren, Kamie (Caleb), Chelsa, Ethan, Wesley, Alan, Rusty, Patrick, Joey, Jase, Jonathan, Hendryk, Kennedy, Berkeley, Madison, Reagan, George, Alastair, Winston, and Alivia.

Great-great grandchildren, Samantha, Gracelyn and Liam. Many nieces, nephews and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her, husband Willard Deese, beloved sons Pat and Mike Baldree, parents, Grady and Sadie Prince, sister Joanne Coleman, brother Robert “Lamar” Prince, brothers-in-law Al Coleman, Daniel Coleman, and Robert Lyons, and, life-long friend and family caregiver Rebecca Castleberry.

Visitation will be held at New Harvest Church in Clewiston, FL, on Thursday November 11th at 10:30 am. A celebration of life will immediately follow at 11:00 am.

Internment to follow at Fort Denaud Cemetery, LaBelle, FL, at 2:00 pm.

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Thursday
11
November

Viewing

10:30 am - 11:00 am
Thursday, November 11, 2021
New Harvest Church
370 Holiday Isles
Clewiston, Florida, United States
Thursday
11
November

Celebration of Life

11:00 am
Thursday, November 11, 2021
New Harvest Church
370 Holiday Isles
Clewiston, Florida, United States
Thursday
11
November

Committal Service

2:00 pm
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Fort Denaud Cemetery
1170 Cemetery Road
LaBelle, Florida, United States
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Vera