Deannie Best, a truly extraordinary person with a life story replete with both turmoil and triumph, came into the world as Willia Dean Doughty on September 25, 1926, in the quaint and picturesque town of Altus, Oklahoma. From the very earliest stages of her life, her existence was significantly influenced by the unpredictable nature of her family dynamics, as her parents made the difficult decision to go their separate ways when she was still just a tender and vulnerable three years of age. This early departure from the traditional nuclear family structure would undoubtedly have a profound and lasting impact on her formative years, shaping her experiences, perspectives, and ultimately, her very identity.
As Deannie's teenage years drew to a close, she embarked upon a pivotal and audacious decision, one that would forever alter the trajectory of her life. With a sense of adventure coursing through her veins, she packed her bags, bid farewell to the familiar, and set her sights on the city of dreams, the fabled Hollywood, California. This bold move would soon be followed by a turn of events that would leave her reeling, as she was unexpectedly selected to join the elite ranks of the Goldwyn Girls, a revered and storied group of talented young women whose captivating presence had captured the hearts of audiences and industry insiders alike.
April 12th, 1944, stands as a significant milestone in the life of Deannie, a date that witnessed the inception of a brief yet tumultuous marital relationship with Greg Balzer, a partnership that would ultimately prove to be ephemeral and culminate in the dissolution of their union through divorce.
In the same calendar year, Deannie's life was confronted with a devastating and heart-wrenching blow when her mother, Willia Best, succumbed to a sudden and unforeseen fate, departing this mortal coil at the tender age of thirty-five, in the month of September, leaving an indelible mark on Deannie's life.
Deannie Yvonne Yocum, a remarkably gifted and driven personality, dedicated herself to a lifelong pursuit of acting, leaving a profound and lasting impact on the film industry with her spellbinding and unforgettable performances in a diverse array of notable movies, including the iconic Wonder Man and the critically acclaimed The Big Sleep.
Deannie's artistic development throughout the 1940s was marked by a diverse range of cinematic appearances, as she consistently demonstrated her remarkable talent and unwavering dedication to her craft by taking on various roles in a multitude of film productions.
Her exceptional abilities and unrelenting commitment ultimately led to a highly sought-after opportunity to join a United Service Organizations (USO) tour in 1945, where she had the extraordinary privilege of performing for troops alongside the esteemed and renowned Kay Kyser's troupe.
Deannie's professional accomplishments were juxtaposed with a tumultuous personal life, marked by brief yet intense romantic entanglements. Her whirlwind engagement to Willis Hunt, a yacht salesman with a complex and storied past, served as a harbinger of the drama that was to come. Hunt's prior marriage to the captivating and gifted Carole Landis added an extra layer of intrigue to Deannie's already precarious personal circumstances, setting the stage for a series of events that would test her resolve and emotional fortitude.
Deannie's professional trajectory underwent a pivotal transformation in the year 1948, as she successfully secured a supporting role in the esteemed Charlie Chan mystery film Shanghai Chest, thereby establishing a notable benchmark in her fledgling career.
At the same time, she embarked on a romantic escapade, ultimately culminating in her union with Hollywood attorney Albert Pearlson, an event that would leave an indelible mark on her personal life.
Notwithstanding the initial union's brevity, Deannie and Albert Pearlson chose to dissolve their marriage just a few short months later. Unfazed by this setback, the couple elected to rekindle their romance and embarked on a second journey together, culminating in a recommitment ceremony on March 7, 1949.
As the passage of time unfolded, Deannie reached a pivotal moment in her life, where she made the extraordinary and transformative decision to relinquish her prominent position in the public eye, and instead, dedicate herself to the selfless and all-encompassing role of a devoted housewife, surrendering her spotlight to focus on the nurturing and sustenance of her domestic life.
Deannie's life was characterized by a succession of unfortunate events, each one building upon the last to create a narrative of hardship and adversity. The Fall of 1949, in particular, proved to be a turning point, as a series of calamitous events converged to leave an indelible mark on her life.
It was during this fateful period that Deannie faced the heart-wrenching loss of a pregnancy, a devastating blow that would have a profound and lasting impact on her existence. The miscarriage, a poignant reminder of the fragility of life, would leave an enduring scar, forever altering the trajectory of her life's journey.
As the tumultuous chapter in Deannie's professional career drew to a close, her personal life was beset by a maelstrom of emotional upheaval, ultimately culminating in the decision for her and her husband Albert to part ways, a divorce that would be formally ratified in the year 1952.
Following the dissolution of her marriage, Deannie embarked on a journey of self-discovery and personal rebirth, a transformative process that ultimately led her to cross paths with James Neil Kennedy, a courageous and devoted soldier who would go on to become her second spouse, marking a new chapter in her life.
Deannie's quest for happiness with her new husband was about to take a drastic and unfortunate turn, as she found herself unexpectedly confronted with the overwhelming challenges of motherhood, specifically the premature birth of her daughter in June of 1953.
Deannie Yvonne Rosenberg, a truly exceptional and remarkable individual, underwent a profound and transformative experience in her life, specifically in the year 1957, when she and her then-partner, James, made the difficult decision to go their separate ways, just before the arrival of their beloved daughter, Dru.
As the pivotal moment unfolded, a transformative chapter in Deannie's life was inaugurated, setting the stage for a resurgence of passion and love as she rekindled her romance with Willis Hunt, her former fiancé, in the years that followed.
As the calendar flipped to July 1965, a significant milestone was reached in the lives of Deannie and Willis, as they decided to embark on the lifelong journey of matrimony, surrounded by a gathering of cherished family and friends, their hearts overflowing with optimism and anticipation for the exciting adventures and opportunities that lay ahead, as they exchanged their vows and sealed their love with a tender kiss.
Notwithstanding the initial bliss and optimism that characterized their partnership, the union of the two individuals was eventually beset by a myriad of challenges, primarily stemming from Willis's propensity for excessive alcohol consumption and a disturbing pattern of abusive behavior that would ultimately serve to tarnish the relationship and cast a long and ominous shadow over their collective future.
As the newlywed couple embarked on their life together, a pivotal moment arrived when Willis made the bold and selfless decision to formally adopt Deannie's nine-year-old daughter, Dru, a move that would undoubtedly have a profound and far-reaching impact on the lives of all those directly and indirectly affected by this momentous occasion.
On December 14th, 1969, at their residence in Newport Beach, California, a heated and tumultuous altercation unfolded between Deannie and Willis. The intense passion and desperation that fueled the argument ultimately led to a devastating sequence of events.
In a moment of sudden fervor, Deannie seized a butcher knife, its sharp blade glistening menacingly in the fading light of day, and plunged it into Willis's unsuspecting body. The gravity of the situation was only fully realized as Willis, his life slowly slipping away, was rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, he tragically succumbed to his injuries that very same evening.
The consequences of Deannie's actions were swift and severe. She was promptly apprehended by the authorities and charged with the grave offense of manslaughter.
Deannie, a stalwart individual, bravely faced a trial in November 1970, a period of tumultuous uncertainty and heightened tension in her life, yet, through sheer determination and unwavering conviction, she emerged triumphant, her innocence unequivocally declared on all charges, a resounding affirmation of her unimpeachable integrity and character.
She spent a considerable amount of time residing within the geographical boundaries of California, luxuriating in the radiant warmth of the California sunshine and reveling in the relaxed, easy-going ambiance that permeates the state, for a prolonged period of many years to come.
As the passage of time unfolded, Deannie's life gradually evolved, weaving a complex and intricate narrative comprising a diverse array of experiences, recollections, and invaluable life lessons. Each day, her existence became a vibrant and multifaceted masterpiece, a true reflection of the rich tapestry that was her life.
As the seasons continued to ebb and flow, Deannie's story reached its climax, her life culminating in a poignant and introspective moment on a somber day in May. It was on this day, May 16, 2000, that her remarkable journey came to a close, as she peacefully passed away at the age of seventy-three, leaving behind a profound and lasting legacy that would forever be cherished and honored by those who had the privilege of knowing her.
