Obituary: Queen Ella Dees Fowler

Queen was born the eldest of five children on Dec. 4, 1933, in Perry, Florida, to the late Bernard Lee and Lydia Irene Stephens. In 1952, she married the late William Robert Dees, with whom she had nine children. In 1969, Mr. and Mrs. Dees relocated their family from Perry to Winter Garden, Florida, where she remained until her passing.

Queen enjoyed living in close proximity to her family, whom she loved very much, and she took every opportunity she had to spend time with them. Queen was dedicated to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, throughout her life and enjoyed serving him as a dedicated servant in ministry at West Orange Manor in Winter Garden, which is now Health Central Park Nursing Home, for more than 20 years.

Queen was gifted in the art of crochet and loved to garden. Some of her favorite pastimes were sitting in her beautiful yard and watching the birds and squirrels, as well as playing Yahtzee. Queen was also musically gifted. She enjoyed singing and could play any instrument she set her mind to. At a young age, she taught herself to play the piano, guitar, banjo and violin, just to name a few.

Ms. Queen was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard Lee and Lydia Irene (Murphy) Stephens; husband, William Robert Dees; two sons, Charles Dees and Benjie Dees; and her brother, Charles (Buddy) Stephens.

She is survived by two sons, Darrell (Jill) Dees, of Groveland, Billy (Patti) Dees, of Stuckey; five daughters, Sherri (John) Hamilton, of Orange Park, Ella Mae (Bill) Carlton, of Clermont, Joyce (James) Price, of Ocoee, Betty Skipper, of Oakland and Lori (Scott) King, of Winter Garden; as well as three stepchildren, Donnie (Cathy) Spivey, Ronnie Spivey and Rene (Randy) Cloud; 17 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Bernese Brown, of Groveland, Berna Stephens, of Clermont; and one brother, Alan Stephens, of Stuckey; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation services were held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 30, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday, July 31. Services took place at Glad Tidings Church in Ocoee and was officiated by Pastor Gary Howell. Ms. Fowler was laid to rest in Oakland Cemetery, Oakland, Florida.