Annie Lou (Parham) Smith

Annie Lou Parham Smith, 82, of China Grove, peacefully passed away Friday evening, January 20, 2023, at her home.

Born February 5, 1940, in Madison County, GA, she was a daughter of the late Elva Howard and Stella Emory Simmons Parham.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Henry Deese; her daughter, Sandra Kay Gaylor; brothers, FC Simmons and OB Parham; and sisters, Lois Gregory and Emma Mae Hickman.

Mrs. Smith retired from the weave room of Cannon Mills, after more than 46 years of dedicated service. She loved listening to country and gospel music and enjoyed playing on her Kindle. She also loved watching TV game shows, eating out and trips to the beach. A loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend, Annie Lou will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew and loved her.

Loving family members include her son, Dale Deese; grandson, Jayme Gaylor; her granddaughters, Emory Eller (Bobby) and Kaylan Deese; great-grandchildren, Dahlia and Clarence Eller; many loving nieces and nephews and extended family members.

Mrs. Smith will lie in state from 11:00-12:00 pm Saturday, January 28th at Whitley’s Funeral Home.  Funeral services to remember and celebrate her life will begin at 12:00 pm in the funeral home chapel, conducted by Brother Mike Austin, Pastor, Landis Baptist Church.  Burial will follow the services at West Lawn Memorial Park.

For those who may prefer, memorials may be made in Mrs. Smith’s name to Hospice of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC  28081.