Deirdre Marie "Dede" Bourgeois

Deirdre Marie “Dede” Bourgeois, 59, of Marietta passed away Tuesday, July 19, 2016. A Memorial Service will be held 12:00 noon, Saturday, July 30th at Destiny Metropolitan Worship Church in Atlanta with Rev. Brian Crute officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A Repass will follow the service at the church. Deirdre’s Favorite Scripture… 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 (KJV) Deirdre “Dede/Dee” Marie Bourgeois was born May 31, 1957 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Leatrice and Eddie Bourgeois. Dede was the oldest of 3 children born to the union of Mr. & Mrs. Bourgeois. Dede departed this side of Zion on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 after a brief illness. She matriculated at Epiphany Elementary School and Xavier University Preparatory School, both in New Orleans, and studied at Xavier University. Dede moved to Atlanta to assume a role with General Dynamics in 1986. After 2 years with General Dynamics, Dee took a position at MARTA as a Drafter/CAD Operator until 2008 when she left to study Real Estate and later became a Licensed Realtor with Crown Communities. To say that Dee loved people…Everyone knows that she had a way of making anyone in her presence feel loved and special! She believed that one of her purposes in this life was to “help people”. She loved loving on folks and encouraging others as the opportunities were presented to her. One of Dee’s greatest loves was STING (Steering Triumphant Innovators of the Next Generation), where she served as the current President of this 501(c)(3), that was created in South Cobb County, Georgia for the purpose of providing mentoring and enrichment programs for youth between the ages of 11-18. STING’s goal is to make a difference in the lives of youth and encourage them to live productive and balanced lives. Dede’s self-description is an absolute statement about the women that we ALL celebrate and will love always…”I'm blessed with great family, friends, and a zest for life.” Her words to live by… "Life is such a beautiful thing, enjoy it, laugh, love, and enjoy it for we never know when it will end." Dede leaves to carry on her legacy of beauty, love, life, and laughter her proudest joy, her son Gavin Stewart of Smyrna, GA; her brother Eddie Bourgeois and his wife Risa of East Cobb/Marietta; her sister Michele Smith and her husband Kenneth of Kennesaw; two Nieces – Bria Bourgeois of Los Angeles, CA and Kodi Smith of Indianapolis, IN; two nephews – Eddie Bourgeois, IV of Washington, DC, and Kameron Smith of Kennesaw, GA; a host of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins; and extended family members and so many very close friends. The many lives that she touched are the more enriched because they were loved and changed through the love that they received and shared with Deirdre “Dede/Dee” Marie Bourgeois. A Memorial Service will be held in New Orleans at a later date. In lieu of flowers contributions should be made to STING Incorporated, 3315 South Cobb Drive, #813366, Smyrna, GA 30081.

Deirdre Marie "Dede" Bourgeois

May 31, 1957 - July 19, 2016