Dee Ruth (Smith) Vernon

Dee Ruth “Snuffy” Smith Vernon of Kannapolis went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 13, 2019

Dee was a proud 1964 graduate of A.L. Brown High School where she was voted Most Athletic her senior year. She also attended Central Piedmont Community College and the University Of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Dee was a vocalist for The Country Sounds in Killeen, Texas. She was inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Gatesville, Texas.
She was a beloved softball and basketball coach who earned the love and respect of all of her players. Most importantly, she loved and lived for the Lord. Her great joy was serving and fellow shipping at Living Water: A Church of God Fellowship, where she was a member.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Mary Smith. Also preceding her death, were her brothers Gene Smith, Gerald Smith and Howard A. Smith II and her sister Zadie “Sandy” Pettigrew and her husband Bill “Lucky Duck” Pettigrew.

Dee is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, SFC Paul Vernon, her daughter, Dawn Damon, son-in-law Paul Damon and granddaughter, Natalie Damon. She is also survived by her brother Flavel D. Smith and wife Shirley. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom she loved.

A Celebration of Life graveside service will be held on Monday, December 16, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Carolina Memorial Park with Rev. Wade Easom and Rev. Kevin Corl officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dee’s memory may be made to Living Water: A Church of God Fellowship, 166 North Little Texas Road Kannapolis, NC 28083.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.