Dierdre Eleanor Viola “Deedee” Vans Evers passed away on January 1, 2026, in Baltimore, Maryland. Born on September 11, 1952, in Bossier City, Louisiana, she lived a life marked by service, dedication, levity, love, and passion for her fellow men and women.

A graduate of Robinson High School’s Class of 1970, Deedee joined the Air Force in 1974, answering a challenging and rewarding call for women in the military. Over 20 years, she blazed trails for the women who followed.

She retired in 1993, and returned to her hometown of Tampa, Florida, to care for her aging parents. During this time, she earned a degree in Religious Studies from Eckerd College, graduating in 1997. While in her studies, she met the love of her life, a chihuahua named Sammy. Together they found the joy in both saving and being saved. Later, she relocated to Seattle, Washington, in 2009 to live with her daughter and son-in-law, and eventually her cherished granddaughter. In this chapter of her storied life, she had the joy and privilege of spending 13 years instilling the mischief, wisdom, and love of the three generations of Vans Evers women to that granddaughter. She slept late and did exactly what she wanted in her well-earned retirement. The family relocated to Maryland in 2015, where she made many friends and met her beloved partner of 11 years. She traveled, spent time with friends, instilled great humor and levity into her grandmunchkin, and enjoyed the quiet life.

Deedee was the beloved daughter of Lela La France Vans Evers and Major C.C. Vans Evers, and sister to C.C. “Sandy” Vans Evers II all of whom preceded her in death. She is lovingly remembered by her daughter Debi Vans Evers and son-in-law Michael Bottenfield; her cherished grandchildren, Frances Vans Evers and Jeremy Bottenfield; and her beloved partner, Bernard E. Kenyon, Jr. She also leaves behind brothers Frank Vans Evers and Michael Vans Evers as well as many nieces and nephews.

As a veteran, citizen, and human being, she believed strongly in the rights of all people. Donations in her honor can be made to the ACLU. (If you do, please add mom@vansevers.nz to that so her family knows.)

May her memory be for a blessing and may she live forever through the lives she touched. She will be buried with full military honors on February 11, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Baltimore National Cemetery, 5501 Frederick Ave, Catonsville, MD. All are welcome both in person and in spirit.

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