Destineé Cheyanne Rhea, known to many as Desi, Dez, or Dezzi, will be remembered for her contagious smile, her infectious personality, and for being larger than life. Desi was born on July 4, 2003, to Derrick Duran Rhea and Misty Nicole Stubblefield. She passed away on July 15, 2022.
Destineé was a 2021 graduate of Fayetteville City High School and an upcoming sophomore at the University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern). Desi played basketball #4 and volleyball #4 for Unity School, softball #14 and basketball #4 at Fayetteville City High School, and basketball #4 at UT Southern. Destineé worked in the infant room at Little Blessings Daycare and was a waitress at Kitchen 218. She was a member of the McBurg Baptist Church. Family and friends were everything to Destineé. She had a special bond with her siblings and could often be found cheering and coaching them on in their sporting events.
In addition to her parents, survivors include her maternal grandmother, Shelia Stubblefield; siblings, Deshana Lea Rogers, Alandra Mae Rhea, Kynlee Paige Rhea, Kaylyn Ellyce Rhea, and Micah Duran Rhea; nephew, Kyler Lux Rhea; nieces, Jazaih Deshonté Stevenson, Lanajaih ´J Elise Stevenson, and Miyah Rikel ´J Rogers; uncles, Brian Keith Stubblefield, Kody Lee Stubblefield; bonus dad, Joseph Wilbanks; special friends, Aly Hargrove, Talaejah Conley, Carmen Johnson, and K.J. Jackson; her Little Blessings family, Kitchen 218 family; Southern Vortex family; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends. Destineé was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Timothy Keith Stubblefield, paternal grandmother, Ellen Rhea, and paternal grandfather, Walter Henry Braden.
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, July 25, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church, in the gymnasium. Joseph Hamilton, Bro. Elvin Bridges, and Patrick Barnes will officiate. Burial will follow in the Wright’s Cemetery. Kody Stubblefield, NaPaul Pope, Jason Pope, Brian Stubblefield, Jarod Taylor, and Joseph Wilbanks will serve as pallbearers. Hatton Pope and Hunter Wilbanks will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Visitation with the family will be from 2 PM until 8 PM on Sunday, July 24, 2022, at Higgins Funeral Home. Counselors will be available on site for those who may need a moment to talk with someone or a special moment of prayer.
Desi was a great athlete and avid sports fan. To honor and celebrate her life, the family kindly asks that you wear the University of Alabama, the Atlanta Braves, Fayetteville City Schools, or University of Tennessee Southern apparel or Destineé’s favorite color of blue.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Destineé Rhea Memorial Scholarship Fund at Bank of Lincoln County.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Destineé Cheyanne Rhea.
