Deanna Monroe

Deanna (Townes) Monroe, affectionately known as Beautiful Deedee, made the best pound cake in the world. She touched a multitude of lives, but the influence of her baking endeavors cannot be exaggerated. It was this thread of love of taking care of others, including their hunger, that defined her life's work and instilled a passion for service within her family.

Deedee was born April 17, 1942 in Gilliam, West Virginia to Mary and Russell Townes as their seventh child. She prided herself as the youngest for 9 years before her younger sisters arrived. During this time she was known to be excellent at throwing rocks and making friends at school. She then went on to become a High Stepping Majorette at Elkhorn High School before graduating and living in both Patterson, New Jersey and Columbus, Ohio. She married her lifelong love, Walter and had one daughter, Crystal who she enjoyed traveling the world with. She later received the joy of having a granddaughter and baking partner, Christen, and a great-granddog, Imani who was her favorite tv-watching partner.

Deedee spent her career serving others, starting at a school for those with intellectual disabilities before transitioning to working in the medical field in labor and delivery and physical medicine and rehabilitation. She eventually decided to return to working with people with intellectual disabilities and did so until she retired. She was heavily involved in the service ministries at Love Zion Baptist Church and multiple other social clubs and service organizations including the Culture Unlimited Club and AmeriCorps where she touched the lives of those in need, seniors, and children.

Known as a persistent advocate, outspoken comedian, and an image of beauty, Deanna often said, "You can't keep a good woman down". On January 9, 2025, with her daughter and granddaughter by her side, she rose above to join her Mother, Father, Sisters Mary (Cary) and Velma (Odell), and Brother Billy (Elma).

She leaves her husband, Walter; daughter, Crystal; granddaughter, Christen; great-granddog, Imani; sisters, Rosetta (OD) St. Clair, Deloris Thomas, Glenda Harrison, Cathy Townes, and Karen (George) Schwarz; brother, Harold (Trichita) Townes; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to cherish her memory and her recipes. There is so much more that could be said, but what she did was make our world brighter. In honor of her commitment to the call of Matthew 25, The Beautiful Deeds Foundation, Inc. was founded to continue her aim to help all those in need.

Services will be held on January 16, 2025, at 12:00pm at Love Zion Baptist Church. The Beautiful Deeds Foundation, Inc. will be holding a donation drive at the service to support the patients and their support systems at Kobacker House who so tenderly assisted in caring for Deanna in her last weeks of life. A list of items requested, additional details, and alternate ways to donate can be found at beautifuldeedsfoundation.org/news .