Dessie Mae Tanksley was born in the Noxapater, MS community on March 16, 1931, to the late James Elbert Tanksley and Lillie Mae Justice Tanksley. She attended school in Noxapater and later was a housewife until her children were grown. She then began working at a local fabric store in Macon, MS and quickly gained a reputation as an excellent seamstress. Dessie was a precious and caring person who dearly loved her children and grandchildren, all of whom felt blessed to have had her in their lives. She was a God-fearing woman who loved her Lord and, for many years, worshipped at the Noxubee Full Gospel Christian Center in Macon. Dessie loved keeping her mind active by solving jigsaw puzzles and writing poetry.
Dessie is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Shorty and Lesley Tanksley and her grandson, Kevin Allen.
Dessie’s survivors include her daughters, Kay Vandevender Martin (Danny) and her children, Brandon (Lacy) Jones, Brandon’s daughter, Sara Beth Jones Fulton (Cameron) and their son, Casen Ryan Fulton; Joe Jones (Amanda) and their daughter, Maddie Grace; and Lucas Jones (Neely) and their son, Henry Joseph; her daughter, Sharon Vandevender Allen (Edward), and their daughter, Tabitha Cross (Jonathan), Tabitha’s daughter, Bailey Edwards, and son Cannon Edwards (Karissa), and a grandson, Jackson Allen; and one brother, Presley Tanksley.