Obituary – Jean Dean

Published 10:19 am Monday, December 16, 2024

Jean Dean passed away at her son’s house in the early hours of Dec. 10 at the age of 76. She passed away having the same faith that she lived by. She was born Dec. 26, 1947, and was one of 5 children.  

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Dec. 12, beginning at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Dunklin Funeral Home with her son, Joseph Dean officiating and Dunklin Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in Georgiana. Visitation was held on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 5 until 7 p.m. in the chapel of Dunklin Funeral Home and on Thursday, December 12, beginning at 9 a.m. until service time. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Lynn Dean, father Cecil Spann, her mother Lois Phillips Spann, sister Linda Salter, brother Wayne Spann and brother Louis Spann.   

Jean is survived by her three children: Joseph Dean (Christie Dean), Ronald Dean, Jr. (Misty Dean) and Tammi Turner (Mitchell Turner). Her 12 grandchildren Mathew Baltzell (Arden), Bailey Dollar (Stephen), Mackenzie Dean, Peyton Dean (Haleigh), Kaydra Walker (Brandon), Brandon Strength (Amy), Daniel Bush (Abbi), Alyssa Peacock (Dillion), Emma Claire Strength, Rileigh Turner, Thomas Turner and Joseph Turner. Her nine great grandchildren Cambrie Baltzell, Andrew Baltzell, Shiloh Baltzell, Theo Bailey, Knoxx Smith, Ava Bush, Russel Bush, Asher Walker and Wyatt Peacock. She is also survived by one sister, Earnestine Mclellan and many nieces, nephews, sister-in-law’s, family and friends. 

Jean was born in Georgiana.  She attended school in Georgiana also. She fell in love with and married Ronald Lynn Dean Sr also from Georgiana. They would go on to move to Hayneville after Ronnie got a job there with the local phone company. They went on to have three children.  Anyone that knew Jean knew that her children brought her great joy.  

Her children will tell you that no one compares to her. She taught them all first and foremost to love Jesus Christ. She taught them that they had a soul and that Jesus loved them enough that he died for their souls. She showed her children and her husband immeasurable love. She also showed them how to love other people.  

She was no stranger to helping anyone that needed it. More times than not no one knew of the deeds she was doing for others. She taught her children to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  Often when people were sick others would be rushing out while she was rushing in. She would tell you she was no saint but to the people who loved her they would argue that. She spent a great deal of time watching kids for local families. She would tell you how much she loved them then and how much she still loves them today.  

I believe she would call them her babies even now. She also had a greenhouse where she would grow and sell plants. She really enjoyed taking a twig and growing it into a beautiful plant.  Her back porch and yard would tell you all you need to know about her love of flowers.  She indeed had a green thumb. She loved singing and you would often find her singing and humming as she went about her day. She was one of the hardest working people we have ever met. 

She also loved her church family and especially her Sunday School class. Many times, when you couldn’t get her on the phone she would be on the phone with one of the members of her class. It was another thing that gave her a lot of joy.   

She cared for her husband Ronnie until he left us in July of 2023. Unbeknownst to us she was also dealing with health issues that would ultimately have her meet her Savior much quicker than anyone would have liked. Even in her lowest moments she faithfully trusted in the Lord.  Her legacy will live on throughout her family and the vast amount of people she has touched.   

The family would like to send a special thanks to everyone who has prayed them through this past year.  They would like to thank ACG Hospice for coming in and offering that support needed through this time.   

For online condolences, please visit www.dunklinfh.com.