Ann DeField

Mildred Ann DeField, age 81 of Charleston, died Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at the Estates Care Center at Perryville, MO.

With the help of Dr. Charles Rolwing, Ann was born December 5, 1939, at Charleston, MO, to the late Gerald H. DeField and Erlene Dye DeField.   Upon her graduation from Charleston High School, Ann studied art at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.  Some of her favorite artists were Renoir and Monet.

Life in the DeField home at 1300 East Cypress was always an adventure.  Her father "Jelly" was a welder and airplane pilot, her mother Erlene, a fabulous cook and hostess, and her sister, Dean, an accomplished musician and piano and organ instructor.   Ann and Dean could be seen out in Charleston riding around in their 1974 Cadillac Deville.   Ann was always joyous and she was the life of a family gathering.  Often, Ann, Dean and their mother, planned and hosted theme parties.  Family and friends would come dressed to "arrive at their destination" and would enjoy food and music from places such as Africa, Hawaii, Italy and Spain.   Ann also loved face painting for the children of her beloved cousins.

Ann loved music and especially Broadway musicals.  She loved to share her art talent as well, teaching art in several elementary schools throughout Southeast Missouri.   Ann often shared her paintings with family and friends and when her art studio at home got too crowded, she would set a number of them out in the driveway and have a "Starving Artist Sale."

Ann grew up at the First Baptist Church in Charleston but later attended the United Methodist Church where she participated in the Chancel Choir.   She was a former member of the Sikeston Community Choir and had assisted at the Sikeston Little Theatre.  She and Dean founded the Charleston Singers, and on special occasions, this small group of neighbors and friends would gather in the studio at Charleston's K.C.H.R. Radio Station and sing live with live piano accompaniment.

Ann is survived by her sister, Geraldine "Dean" DeField and a number Dye and DeField Cousins.

A private family service will be held at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

Interment will follow at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.