Cordelia Elizabeth (Knight) Gulledge was born in Akron, Ohio, on July 13, 1942, to the union of Earl P. Knight and Zenola R. Jones. She departed this life to be with the Lord after a lengthy illness on November 24, 2025. Dee Dee, as she was affectionately called, spent her formative years in Akron, Ohio, where she attended Akron Public Schools and graduated from East High School in 1960.

After graduation, having a strong work ethic, Dee Dee pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a bank teller. At this time, it was highly unusual for an African-American young lady to become a bank teller. Dee Dee persisted in realizing her dream and was hired at First National Bank as a bank teller. Later Dee Dee worked for General Motors as a senior account clerk. She retired in 1999 after 34 years of total employment.

She was united in marriage to Jesse Gulledge Jr. on September 28, 1968. To this union two sons, Jesse III and Brian, were born. Her husband, Jesse Jr., preceded her in death.

She was a loving, caring mom who put others first. She possessed a calm demeanor and always wanted to treat people right. One of her interests included going to lunch with her ladies’ group. Some of her hobbies were completing crossword puzzles, word searches, and regular puzzles. She also enjoyed watching HGTV programs and Cleveland Cavs games on TV. Lastly, she enjoyed spending time with family.

Dee Dee was raised in the Church of God and received Christ as her personal Savior in her adult years. She remained committed to Christ until her death. She was a member of the Thornton Street Church of God and faithfully performed many duties including Sunday School teacher, church secretary, and trustee. Dee Dee could be counted on when a need was present. She was a faithful, dependable, and motivated mother, not only a blessing to her immediate family, but to anyone who crossed her path. She will be sorely missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Jesse Jr.; sister, Lela; and brothers, Kenneth, Earl Paul, and William.

She is survived by two sons, Jesse III and Brian Gulledge; two sisters, Maxine Browne (husband Butch), and Juaneeke Fuller (husband Keith); special sister-cousin, Laverne Franklin; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Pearson and Margaret Gulledge-Westly; brother-in-law, Joe Gulledge (wife Edna); also cousins, nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.