Barbara Ann Dreiss, 77, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 13, 2016, at the Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge, TN, after prolonged illness. She was born on March 19, 1939 in Jersey City, NJ, to James and Sally (Werhel) Housley

Barbara married Michael Dreiss in 1950 in North Bergen, NJ. She was employed by a school system in food management while they lived in New Jersey. Mike was transferred by Maersk Line to Charlotte, N.C., where they lived for 12 years. They attended and were active in Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. Barbara was involved in church dinners and assisted with weekly meals for the homeless.  

She and Mike traveled extensively to Florida, California, England, Scotland, Wales, and their favorite country Canada, where they enjoyed fishing. “In 2000, we chose Tennessee for retirement because of the availability of lakes for fishing,” she said. They were active members at First Presbyterian Church, and she enjoyed quilting and helping with dinners.

Mike passed away in 2009, one week after their 49th wedding anniversary. Barbara was also preceded in death by her parents and her sister Mary Stasi.

Barbara is survived by her sisters Janet Capozzi and Edith Skuder, brother James Housley, grand nephew Brandon McCloud, and other family and friends.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Michael and Barbara Dreiss Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 6106, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, the American Heart Association, or the National Canine Cancer Foundation. 

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