Margaret Dillene (Broach) Bethea known as Dee to all, passed away Monday, September 18, 2023.  She was born at the Dedman family home in Ramsey, Arkansas on March 4, 1943. She grew up in Ramsey and Fordyce before moving to Camden where she attended Fairview High School. She was baptized in Norphlet AR.  After marrying, she lived in Houston, TX and Albuquerque, NM before returning to Camden, which she always called home.

Throughout her life she always enjoyed spending time with her children grandchildren family and friends, a cup of coffee, nature, bird watching, petting her cats, an ocean cruise, fishing, crafting, music, and a good movie.

As a young wife and mother in Albuquerque, she had an entrepreneurial vision and became involved in operating small businesses that included real estate office, apartment buildings, day care, furniture restoration and craft business, handmade Southwestern silver jewelry, and a restaurant.  Dee completed her career serving others first at the South Arkansas Regional Medical Center for over 20 years before retiring in 2007. Dee went on in her retirement to support the local youth helping at the Ouachita County Boys and Girls Club and serving people throughout the community.

Dee was member of White Oak Lake First Baptist Church in Chidester and the Eastern Star Turquoise Chapter in Rio Rancho, New Mexico (1979).

She was preceded in death by her mother, Myrtle Ernestine (Dedman) Broach; father, William Dillard Broach; grandmother, Myrtle Drew (Launius) Dedman; grandfather, Richard Ernest Dedman; sisters, Verna Diann (Broach) Bates and Dana Elaine (Broach) Smith.

She is survived by her brother, William Donald Broach and wife, Gladys Broach of Little Rock, AR; sister, Delby Jo (Broach) Schlafman and husband, Ralph Schlafman of Little Rock, AR: daughter, Patricia Dee (Smith) Chambers and husband, Charles Chambers of St. Louis, MO; sons, James Allen Smith of Chidester, AR, Ernest Harley Smith of Camden, AR and Joseph Donald Smith of Chidester, AR; granddaughters, Dominique Lynette Chambers and husband, Reuben Malicoat of St. Louis, MO and Christin Ashley (Chambers) Paavola and husband, Chris Paavola of    Battle Creek, Michigan; grandsons, Charles Patrick Chambers of St. Louis, MO,  Christopher James Smith of Little Rock, AR, Jonathon Allen Smith and wife, Jessica Smith of Crossett, AR, Taylor Ray Fife and wife, Virginia Fife, Stephen Ernest Smith of Camden, AR, Mark Allen Smith of Camden, AR and granddaughter, Zoey Brooklyn Smith of Bryant, AR, 14 great grandchildren, Alexis Riley Moentmann, Lauren Alicia Clark, Kaity Leigh Moentmann, Vivian Margaret Chambers, Haylee Nicole Malicoat, Selah Hope Paavola, Isaiah Kai Paavola, Mark Silas Paavola, Kia Love Paavola, Acacia Joy Paavola, James Scott Smith, Jasmen Marie Smith, Calan Ray Fife, Alston Norwood Fife. She is also survived by an aunt, uncle, cousins, nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00AM Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Proctor Funeral Home.  Visitation will be from 9:00AM to 10:00AM before the service.  You are invited to join the family at the Prosperity Baptist Church pavilion in Ramsey, Arkansas Hwy 8 and Dallas County 119, Fordyce, following the service.