Earline Mitchum Deese

Earline Deese née Mitchum, born February 8, 1940, passed away Sunday evening, February 22, 2026. Born in Sumter to Golden and Mary Lee Mitchum, she had a coronary in the home in which she was born in the loving arms of her daughter, Lola Darline Deese.

She married the late Vernon F Deese, senior, on December 8, 1957, and spent the next 53 years as his helpmate in his ministry as a United Methodist pastor until his passing in 2010.

Earline was a devoted mother of 2 children: V Franklin Deese II of Aiken, and Lola Darline Deese of Sumter. She is also survived by her grandson, Folwin Marc-Anastase Saint George Deese of Paris, France.

Additionally, Earline is survived by her brother, Richard L Mitchum (Dee) of Sumter, and Patricia Hobbs (Drew) of Timmonsville. She is predeceased by her other siblings: Thetis Irene Hucks, Leonard L Mitchum, Frances Mary Ella (Rachel) Lowder, Dorothy Caroline Baird, Linda Elaine Davis, and Betty Susan Britting.

Earline loved her family and was active in the communities in which she lived. She loved animals, gardening, cooking, and music. She was a member of garden clubs, a Cub Scouts den mother, and a band booster club member. She often sang in church choirs and taught Sunday school. She was passionate about reading, both Scripture and novels.

Her children and grandson remember her as always being loving and supportive. She will be sorely missed.

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Bullock Funeral Home from 4:00-6:00 pm.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Trinity United Methodist Church at 10:00 am. The interment will follow the service at Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery, 5575 Lodebar Rd, Sumter, SC 29153.

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Earline Mitchum Deese, please visit our floral store.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Earline Mitchum Deese, please visit our floral store.