Dee Dee was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. She moved to Northwest Arkansas    with her three sons.  There she continued attending college. She maintained a 4.0 GPA while simultaneously working in the engineering department of Kennametal and raising her children. Dee Dee has been active as a volunteer with the public school system, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, her church, and served for two years as Disaster Services Chairperson for the Benton County (Arkansas) Red Cross. After retiring from Kennametal, Dee Dee taught herself to make quilts. In addition to time spent with her grandchildren, Dee Dee enjoys needlework, and shares hobbies such as photography and bowling with her husband Stan.

After having some vision problems and a son having a major stroke, Dee Dee has retired to care for her son and herself.