LANCASTER, SC ~ Mrs. Dora Lee Phillips Deese, age 91, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at White Oak Manor Lancaster.  She was born August 20, 1927 in Kershaw County, a daughter of Robert David Phillips and Minnie Stewart Phillips and was the wife of Bill Deese.  Dora was a graduate of Buford High School and the Carolette's Beauty School in Columbia, SC.  She was owner and operator of Dora's Beauty Shop in Lancaster.  Important corner stones of her life were her family, abiding faith and love of music.  Dora enjoyed going on church mission trips, camping at Springmaid Beach and spending time with family and friends.  She was a member in the order of the Eastern Star.  Dora was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church where she held many leadership positions, a member of the Faithful Saints Sunday School class and a loyal choir member for many years.  She served as Director of the Moriah Baptist Association Women's Missionary Union for five years.  Dora was above all else a cherished Mother and Nana.

Dora is survived by her daughter, Phyllis D. Leventis (George A. Sr.) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; her son, Kelvin Murl Deese (Wanda T.) of Heath Springs, SC; four grandchildren, George A. Leventis, Jr., Christopher Leventis, Kent Deese (Adrian), and Traci Deese Shigley (Todd); and four great-grandchildren, Hudson Deese, Julia Claire Deese, Eliza Shigley, and Molly Anne Shigley.

Dora was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Bill Deese; her parents; four brothers, Ray Phillips, Stanley Phillips, Claude Phillips, and Robert Phillips, Jr.; and two sisters, Alma Roberts and Margaret Gardner.

The Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Dora will be 11:00 am Thursday, May 23, 2019 at Immanuel Baptist Church officiated by Rev. Tim Anderson.  Burial will follow at Lancaster Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am-10:45 am, one hour prior to the service, in the church fellowship hall and other times at the home of Murl and Wanda Deese.  Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 1152 Great Falls Hwy, Lancaster, SC 29720.