Annette Dedge

DEDGE – Annette (“Anne”) Kirkland Dedge began her eternal life with the Lord in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 6th, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. Anne was born at St. Luke’s Hospital in Jacksonville, FL on December 1st, 1937 to Austin John Kirkland and Willie Mae Readdick, the third of their seven children.

Throughout her youth she was known for her athleticism, serving as the team captain for volleyball and basketball teams. She was also an avid bowler, and one of a small percentage that has ever thrown a perfect game with a score of 300. Anne was married to Joe W. Dedge Jr. on the same day of her graduation from Robert E. Lee High School - June 6th, 1955. Together they raised two amazing children – Richard and Susan – and lived a life full of adventure and excitement. They joined the German American Club (now the Ortega River Club) in 1971 where she served as President of the Women’s Auxiliary and Co-Chair of the Entertainment Committee, and where both are recognized as Life Members after 40 years of commitment. With their many close friends, they travelled Europe and visited the infamous Oktoberfest in full lederhosen regalia. To say Anne and Joe were the life of the party would be a massive understatement. Anne was also a member of the American Legion, the Daughters of the Nile, the Garden Club of Jacksonville, and the West Meadows Golf Club. She was also no stranger to acts of service in her community: An active and devout member of the St. Matthew’s Catholic Church where she served as a member of the treasury and assisted with innumerous church events; a Patrol Leader for St. Matthew’s Catholic School, a role in which she raised funds to take students on a trip to Washington D.C.; and Brownie Leader of St. Matthew’s Troop 132. When Anne and Joe were not occupying themselves with these groups or hosting parties at their riverfront property in Cedar Hills, they were spending time together at their timeshare in Sky Valley, GA or at the Kirkland family’s property in Dupont, GA. She also enjoyed reading, crosswords, and spending time with her best friend and beloved sister, Mary. In later years, Anne provided steadfast, loving care for Joe during a prolonged illness, which he succumbed to in 2011 after a marriage of 56 years. Recently, Anne resided at Silver Treasures Living Facility where she received the highest level of attention and kindness.

Anne is preceded in death by her husband, Joe W. Dedge Jr., her son Richard Anthony Dedge, and her siblings Clyde, Vera, and Charles Kirkland, and her siblings by marriage Gerald and Arthur Dedge. She is survived by her daughter Susan Dedge Martin (Ronnie), her siblings Mary, James, and William Kirkland, her siblings by marriage Lucy Dedge Hodges (Ronald), Nell Dedge Bols (Earl), her grandson Richard Austin Murphy (Yelena), her great grandchildren Katalina Anfisa Murphy and Richard Conor Murphy, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral mass will be held at 10am Friday, November 12th, 2021 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 1773 Blanding Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32210 with Father Luke McLoughlin and Father Jose Kulathinal concelebrating. Interment will be in North Cemetery in Dupont, GA.