Rocky Mount –

Dene Dawes, age 90, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 20, 2025 at her home in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She was born Alma Dene Lanier on June 26, 1934 on the Cox Farm in Edgecombe County, NC to Charles Burnice Lanier, Sr. and Alma Grimes Lanier.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of thirty-two years, Lee Roy Dawes, Sr.; brothers, C.B. Lanier, Jr., William Lee Lanier and James Bruce Lanier; sister-in-law, Inez Horton Lanier and great-granddaughter, Piper Joyce Dawes.

She leaves a lifetime of memories for her sons, Lee Roy Dawes, Jr. of Belhaven and Charles Gregory Dawes (Cindy) of Rocky Mount; sister, Jean Lanier of Palm Harbor, FL; sisters-in-law, Amaryllis G. Dawes and Anne B. Lanier, both of Rocky Mount and Michael Soto who was like a son.

Dene was a proud grandmother to Jason G. Dawes (Shawn) of Rocky Mount, Carmen Lee Dawes of Holly Springs, Meaghan Dawes Fountain (Ryan) of Fuquay Varina and Emilee Dawes Carraway (Chad) of Wendell and great-grandmother to Blaine, Ryker, Dean, Blake, Dawson and Mason.

She will also be missed by several nieces, nephews and other extended relatives.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to McKendree United Methodist Church, c/o Lisa Walton, 4122 Nobles Mill Pond Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27801.