In remembrance of Dessie Ree Ellison, who was gifted to this world on June 13, 1947 to the late Moses and Carrie Ellison.  She departed this earth and gained her wings on July 14, 2017 at her home in Columbia, South Carolina.

“Desiree”, as she was affectionately known, grew up in Pontiac, South Carolina.  She was educated in Richland County public schools. She enjoyed working for The Capital City Club in Columbia for many years until her health declined.

She exuded a beautiful spirit that matched her beautiful smile. She was available to any and every one at all times.  She was friendly and humble; and there was no such thing as a stranger to Desiree. She embraced everyone she met with a hug and a kiss and treated them like family upon introduction.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her life partner, Jessie Ward; her older sister, Evelyn Smiley; her older brother, Raymond Patterson; and son-in-law, Andrew McClain.

Dessie Ree leaves to mourn her passing: her daughters, Brenda McClain and Carolyn Ellison, both of Columbia, South Carolina; four grandchildren: Christopher (Danielle) Ellison, Emily (Joshua) Jones, Cierra Ellison and Dominique (Victoria) Ellison; and seventeen great-grandchildren. She also leaves her sisters: Mozell Shell, Kathleen (Michael) Campbell, Margaret Robinson and Annie Bell (Charles) Owens; brothers, John (Betty) Patterson and Moses Ellison, Jr.; and a host of other loving relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.