March 10th, 1938 – October 1st, 2025
Sue “Dees” Guess of Haines City, Florida passed away on October 1, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was 87 years old.
She was born on March 10, 1938, in Polk City, Florida to James Edward and Mary Jane Rutledge and has been a lifelong resident of Polk County. Sue had worked for Davidson’s of Dundee Candy and Jelly factory for some 21 years as the manager of the packing room. She was a member of NorthRidge Church in Haines City and had an infatuation for flowers, wild animals, singing and camping, but what really lit up her face with a smile was family, especially her time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her parents, James and Mary; her first husband, who she married May 21, 1955, Chester Dees; her second husband, whom she married September 2, 2011, Art Guess; siblings, Bobbie Jean Deese Pollock, Mary Pollock Higdon, James “Tiny” Rutledge, John “Shorty” Rutledge, and Abraham Rutledge. Sue is survived by her daughter, Sharon Cate and her husband, Gary of Middleburg, Florida; son, Ronald Dees and his wife, Sandra of Marysville, Washington; daughter, Gail Stace and her husband, Mike of Haines City, Florida; siblings, Edward “Rusty” Rutledge and his wife, Hazel of Haines City, Florida, Lavond Stein of Haines City, Florida, Ila Green and her husband, Frank of Fortescue, New Jersey, Ethel Ralph and her husband, Steve of New Smyrna Beach, Florida and grandchildren, Billy Cate, Julie Hicks and her husband, Leander, Ronald Coleman Dees and his wife, Erin, Amber Sanchez and her husband, Alejandro; as well as great grandchildren, Savannah Hicks, Sophia Dees, Adeline Dees and Elias Sanchez.
A visitation will be Friday, October 3, 2025, from 10 am until the funeral at 11 am all at NorthRidge Church in Haines City, Florida.
Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, care of :Personal Giving | Chapters Health Foundation
