She was born and reared in the Glendale Community of Chester County, the daughter of the late Willie and Edna Lott Smith. She graduated from Chester County High School.
Mrs. Dees, a homemaker, and the widow of James Milton Dees, Sr.. had lived in Memphis since 2000. They had previously lived in Henderson, TN and Forest City, AR.
She was a member of the Holly Springs United Methodist Church near Henderson.