Mary Carroll (Becht) Dees

Mary Carroll (Becht) Dees, was born in Harrison County, Indiana, on Sunday, July 10th, 1932, and passed on July 17, 2026, in Carrollton, Kentucky.

She was the daughter of the late Julia (Hunt) Becht and Herman Charles Becht. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Thomas Dees, three brothers, Herman Charles Becht, Steven Michael Becht, and William Becht; a sister, Julia Lee Leach, two granddaughters, Julia Leigh Hill and Amy Lee Stewart, a great-granddaughter, Alyvia Faith Cormier.

Mary is survived by her three daughters, Cynthia Lourine Hill of Groton, New York, Kim Julia Dees and Jill Carroll Dees of Ghent, Kentucky; a son, Russell Thomas Dees, II, (Christine) of Warsaw, Kentucky. She was a Gramme to thirteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was a graduate of Silver Creek High School in Sellersburg, Indiana, in 1950. For the next three years, she worked for the Lincoln Bank and Trust Company in Louisville, Kentucky, where she met her husband and married on Saturday, September 19th, 1953. They moved to Carrollton, Kentucky in 1957, where Russell became Lock Master of Lock #1 on the Kentucky River.

Mary, better known as "Becky", what her husband called her, loved the river and dreamed of someday owning a farm. Upon retirement, Becky and Russell moved to their farm on Black Rock Road in Ghent, Kentucky, until her death.

Over the years, she had owned "The Nook" store in Carrollton and ran a doll hospital where she hand made doll dresses and repaired antique dolls. Becky was an artist in most things she created. Those things included crocheting hats for babies in the hospital, and making blankets for the baby boxes.

Some people would never dream that she was an avid fly fisherman, and a card player who was tough to outsmart even up until her final days on earth.

Becky's life will be celebrated on Friday, July 24th, 2026, from 11 to 1:00 P.M. at the Tandy-Eckler-Riley Funeral Home. Her beloved son, Russell Thomas Dees, II., will be presiding over her service. Becky will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Seebree-Dees Family Cemetery in Ghent, Kentucky.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Carroll County Food Pantry, or the Haven of Hope in care of the funeral home. The Tandy-Eckler-Riley Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.