Dee Ann Attaway

Dee Ann Attaway passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the age of 80 in Overland Park, Kansas. She was born on April 15, 1943, in Kansas City, Kansas to Marguerite and Charles Davis.  

Dee Ann graduated from the historic Wyandotte Highschool in 1961, where she sang in the A Capella choir and was a member of the Future Teachers Club. She later attended Kansas State University, receiving a BS in Home Economics in 1965. She was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.  

 Dee Ann was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She cherished spending time with her family to include baking with her daughters and grandchildren, and organizing family games, gatherings, and events. Dee Ann loved spending her time enjoying Church, family, friends, fellowship, their Georgia farm, the mountains, relaxing at the lake, motorcycle rides, playing her piano, cheering on KSU sports, and watching Chiefs games.  

She was a dedicated and faithful servant of Christ, incorporating acts of service into every aspect of her life. Working in various churches throughout her career, she found joy in surrounding herself with children and enjoyed teaching them. She began her career as a preschool teacher at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, to becoming the Preschool Director and working hard to achieve accreditation at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbia, MO, where she touched the lives of many. She retired in 2013 after serving 8 years as the Director of COR’s Discovery Ark Preschool, and again, worked diligently to get the school accredited. 

She was active in her community, volunteering for the PEO sisterhood and for the JCYM philanthropic service organization. She joined PEO in 1978 and served in every officer role in her 46 years as a member of Chapter GD. She joined JCYM in 2014 where she most recently served as the Co-Chair of the Philanthropy Committee. In addition to her volunteer work, she also took on roles as Website Liaison, Publicity Committee Chair, and was a member of the Charitable Gift Fund Committee. Dee Ann touched the hearts of so many throughout her career. She was passionate about connecting with others and living her life to the fullest. She will be remembered for her strong support of the development and education of women, with a strong awareness of the inspiring example she set for her daughters. 

Dee Ann is survived by her loving husband of 33 years, Emory Attaway; her daughters, Susan Cain of Lenexa, Denise Yates (Scott) of Prospect Kentucky, Melanie Lawrence (Scott) of Overland Park, Dena Rutter (Shawn) of Olathe, and Jaime McGillen of Overland Park. Nine grandchildren; Jeff Rutter, Peyton Cain, Brock Lawrence, Macie Lawrence, Claire Yates, Cade Lawrence, Chloe Yates, Landon Rutter, and Greyson Rutter. Dee Ann was preceded in death by her parents. She was an only child.

 The funeral service to celebrate Dee Ann’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 5, 2024, at The Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. It will be held in the Wesley Chapel. A reception will immediately follow the funeral. A private graveside service will take place the following day.  

In honor of Dee Ann's memory, the family kindly requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to: COR Matthew’s Ministry, 13720 Roe, Leawood, KS. 66224. Thank you for keeping Dee Ann and her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this time.