Katie Deese Steedley Katie Deese Steedley, 84, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2014 in Jacksonville. She was born in Cottonwood, Alabama on April 6, 1929 where she grew up on a cotton farm and developed a lifelong love of animals. Katie moved to Auburndale, Florida when she was 14 and spent her teen years there, until moving to Jacksonville when she was 19. Katie was the second runner-up in the 1951 Miss Duval County Pageant and had a great, longstanding love of dancing. She worked at Southern Bell for more than 40 years until her retirement. Through Southern Bell, Katie was a long-time & active member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and C.W.A., Communications Workers of America, where she proudly participated in their groundbreaking strike for workers rights. Katie was preceded in death by her husband, Donald C. Steedley; a brother, Harold Deese and sisters Doris Rogers, Laris Stokes & Bobby Hall. She is survived by her children, Dion Nixon, Karyl Johnston (Wesley) & Kyle Jones; grandchildren, Jason Harrison, Taylor Johnston, Lauren Nixon, Brooke Nixon & Blake Nixon; brother, Howard Deese (Betty); sister-in-law, Mildred Deese and by many other extended family members and friends. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 20, 2014 in the chapel of George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, 4140 University Blvd., S. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday, January 19, 2014 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the funeral home.Arrangements are under the direction of George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, 4140 University Blvd., S., hewellfuneralhomes.com.4140 University Blvd S Jacksonville, FL 32216 f: 904-739-81594747 Main St N Jacksonville, FL 32206 f: 904-353-0763