Obituary of Dee Anna Milburn

Dee Anna DePue Milburn, 77, of Buckhannon, WV, passed away Monday, October 9, 2017, after a lengthy illness. Dee Anna was a loving and beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, and friend. She spent her professional life as a caring and dedicated teacher, helping to guide countless children through the difficult ‘tween and early-teen period, and, over the course of her career, saved the lives of two different children who were choking victims. In Buckhannon, she never seemed to go anywhere where she wasn't greeted by former students who remembered and appreciated her and wanted to say "hello," and sometimes "thank you." She devoted her best efforts, empathy, and kindness to the welfare of thousands of children over her decades of service, and loved making a positive difference in young lives. Earlier, she was a vocal soloist and an active volunteer, known best throughout the area as the local Cancer Society President, launching successful fundraising and awareness campaigns year after year throughout much of her younger life. Throughout all of her life in Buckhannon, she was also a member of the WV Wesleyan College community, as the wife of the late Dr. David Milburn, and is remembered with deep affection by many former Wesleyan students and other members of the Wesleyan family. Her greatest joy in recent years came from her four grandchildren, whom she adored, and who will join the rest of her family and friends in missing her very much. Born July 30, 1940, Dee Anna was the daughter of the late Dr. Robert DePue, Esquire, and Mary Davies DePue of Spencer, WV. Daughter-in-law of the late Ellsworth R. Milburn and Estella Kratovil Milburn of Jeannette, PA, Dee Anna was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years Dr. David Milburn, Professor Emeritus of West Virginia Wesleyan College, her parents and parents-in-law, her sister-in-law, Mary “Duffy” DePue of Spencer, WV, her brother-in-law, Dr. Ellsworth Milburn, Professor Emeritus of Rice University in Houston, TX, her sister-in-law, Julie Doyle Milburn of San Francisco, CA, and her son-in-law, Rick Crites, formerly of Buckhannon. Dee Anna is survived by two daughters, Dana Milburn and husband David Brauer of Arlington, VA; and Debby Milburn of Bridgeville, PA. Four grandchildren: Lauren Milburn Crites and Eric Allen Milburn of Bridgeville; and Benjamin Milburn Brauer and Evan Milburn Brauer of Arlington. Also step-grandson Rick Crites, Jr. (Katrina Morris Crites), of Buckhannon; brothers Daniel DePue and Robert DePue (Freda) of Spencer, WV; niece Denise DePue Atkinson and children Sarina and Savana of Sissonville, WV; niece Jondalyn DePue Martin (Wayne) and daughter Kimber of Weyers Cave, VA; and nephew Michael DePue (Mystie) and daughter Holly of Spencer, WV; niece Lauren Milburn Remkes (Charles) and children, Leah and Ethan, of Albuquerque, NM; and nephew Brendan Milburn (Makaela) and sons Mose and Arlen, of Seattle, WA. Dee Anna is also survived by a host of beloved cousins, friends, former colleagues, and former students. Friends may visit at Poling St. Clair located in Buckhannon, WV, on Sunday, October 15, 5:00-9:00 p.m., and again on Monday, October 16, at 11:00 a.m. The service will be immediately following at 12:00 p.m. A reception luncheon will be served at the First United Methodist Church, 52 S. Florida Street, in Buckhannon. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in her name.