Obituary for Katherine Gilreath
The life of Deedee Gilreath
Katherine Denise “ Deedee” Gilreath was born on November 16th, 1963 in Orange California, to Anita and William Gilreath. Deedee was the oldest of five siblings.
Deedee was born with Down Syndrome. Her mother, Anita believed that Deedee would only bring light to the world. Deedee participated in beauty pageants and more during her school years. With the help of special education she graduated from Esperanza High School in 1988. Shortly after, with the help of a job coaching program she worked for a brief time at the local Sam’s Club.
Deedee loved and thrived on the affection of her big family. Her happy place was curled up in a chair, at her Granny’s apartment during a big family gathering. Deedee adored all her brothers and sisters. Deedee always loved listening to her brother Billy’s stories, jokes, and adventures. Deedee liked to dance and play barbies with her sister Angela. When she was younger, she loved riding on the back of a motorcycle while her brother or sister drove. When Deedee shared a room with her sister Anna, they loved listening to Adventures in Odyssey every night. Deedee enjoyed drawing and creating silly videos with her brother Peter. Deedee always created special memories with whomever she was with.
Her Mother, Anita and Father, Pete crafted a warm and loving household where Deedee was always made to feel special. Deedee was a homebody who liked taking her time doing things around the house. A true night owl, she loved waking late and going to bed well past midnight. She was easy to please, a comfy couch, a robust set of crayons, barbies, and something to drink made her day.
Deedee was a special person whose feisty personality and humor made people love being around her. Deedee did everything her way, and always at her own speed. She had a colorful sense of style, incorporating colors and patterns only because she liked them not caring if they matched. Her favorite clothing item was a comfy Hawaiian muumuu. Deedee loved to chat, spouting real world observations that could leave you laughing for days.
Deedee loved going to church. Deedee loved making friends at church, she was quick to say” I haven't seen you in such a long time” ...even if she never had met you. Over the years, she gave herself roles as “Church Secretary'' and “Choir Director”. Deedee would tag along with Anna to choir practice, singing and laughing all the way there. She loved singing along with the choir, and taking notes of all the pastor’s sermons.
Deedee was very creative. She spent most of her day coloring and drawing to her heart's content. She was a fan of Elvis, and loved crooning to all his songs. She also had an extensive collection of Elvis movies and knew everything about him. Deedee loved old sitcoms, I dream of Genie, Love Boat and I Love Lucy to name a few. During the holidays, Deedee would do numerous performances of “ Silent Night” for the family.
On Monday, December 14, 2020, Deedee Gilreath passed away at the age of 57 at home, surrounded by her loving family.
Deedee was preceded in death by her mother Anita, father William, brother Billy, and grandmother Barbara.
She is survived by a father, two sisters, a brother, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of long-time friends.
Deedee lived a full and extraordinary life. She was a loving and joyful soul, and was an inspiration to everyone who had the opportunity to know her. Deedee will be remembered as an amazing person, a loving sibling, an enduring personality who lived a full happy life. Most importantly she was loved, and left a special place in everyone's heart.
Katherine Denise “ Deedee” Gilreath was born on November 16th, 1963 in Orange California, to Anita and William Gilreath. Deedee was the oldest of five siblings.
Deedee was born with Down Syndrome. Her mother, Anita believed that Deedee would only bring light to the world. Deedee participated in beauty pageants and more during her school years. With the help of special education she graduated from Esperanza High School in 1988. Shortly after, with the help of a job coaching program she worked for a brief time at the local Sam’s Club.
Deedee loved and thrived on the affection of her big family. Her happy place was curled up in a chair, at her Granny’s apartment during a big family gathering. Deedee adored all her brothers and sisters. Deedee always loved listening to her brother Billy’s stories, jokes, and adventures. Deedee liked to dance and play barbies with her sister Angela. When she was younger, she loved riding on the back of a motorcycle while her brother or sister drove. When Deedee shared a room with her sister Anna, they loved listening to Adventures in Odyssey every night. Deedee enjoyed drawing and creating silly videos with her brother Peter. Deedee always created special memories with whomever she was with.
Her Mother, Anita and Father, Pete crafted a warm and loving household where Deedee was always made to feel special. Deedee was a homebody who liked taking her time doing things around the house. A true night owl, she loved waking late and going to bed well past midnight. She was easy to please, a comfy couch, a robust set of crayons, barbies, and something to drink made her day.
Deedee was a special person whose feisty personality and humor made people love being around her. Deedee did everything her way, and always at her own speed. She had a colorful sense of style, incorporating colors and patterns only because she liked them not caring if they matched. Her favorite clothing item was a comfy Hawaiian muumuu. Deedee loved to chat, spouting real world observations that could leave you laughing for days.
Deedee loved going to church. Deedee loved making friends at church, she was quick to say” I haven't seen you in such a long time” ...even if she never had met you. Over the years, she gave herself roles as “Church Secretary'' and “Choir Director”. Deedee would tag along with Anna to choir practice, singing and laughing all the way there. She loved singing along with the choir, and taking notes of all the pastor’s sermons.
Deedee was very creative. She spent most of her day coloring and drawing to her heart's content. She was a fan of Elvis, and loved crooning to all his songs. She also had an extensive collection of Elvis movies and knew everything about him. Deedee loved old sitcoms, I dream of Genie, Love Boat and I Love Lucy to name a few. During the holidays, Deedee would do numerous performances of “ Silent Night” for the family.
On Monday, December 14, 2020, Deedee Gilreath passed away at the age of 57 at home, surrounded by her loving family.
Deedee was preceded in death by her mother Anita, father William, brother Billy, and grandmother Barbara.
She is survived by a father, two sisters, a brother, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of long-time friends.
Deedee lived a full and extraordinary life. She was a loving and joyful soul, and was an inspiration to everyone who had the opportunity to know her. Deedee will be remembered as an amazing person, a loving sibling, an enduring personality who lived a full happy life. Most importantly she was loved, and left a special place in everyone's heart.