Virginia Dean's Obituary
Virginia May Dean, daughter of Homer and Lula Harriet Rusher Smith, was born September 2, 1925, in Wynoka, Oklahoma. She departed this life Sunday, September 11, 2011, in her home, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-six years, and nine days.
On December 29, 1945, she was united in marriage to Hayden Louis Dean, and to this union two daughters and two sons were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Hayden, on June 11, 2009.
Virginia is survived by two daughters, Glenda Dillon, and her husband, Dale, of Park Hills, Missouri, and Martha Ruble, and her husband, Donnie, of Lebanon, Missouri; two sons, Floyd Dean, and his wife, Linda, of Nicholasville, Kentucky, and Fred Dean, of Bradner, Ohio; ten grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Homer Paul Smith, of Phillipsburg, Missouri; a sister, Lela Donigan, of Lebanon, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in Oklahoma, and then moved with her family to Phillipsburg, Missouri, when she was ten years old, later finishing her education at Conway High School. After Hayden returned from World War II, she and Hayden were married, and they made their home in Ohio. Virginia was a devoted homemaker to her husband and family. She graduated from L.P.N. School in Bowling Green, Ohio, and began working at area hospitals and nursing homes. In 1970, the family moved to Grovespring, Missouri, where they made their home. Once again, Virginia worked in the health care field and eventually became a home health nurse.
Virginia had made her profession of belief in Christ and followed the Baptist faith throughout the years. She had a very deep and abiding love for her Lord and Savior and liked sharing her faith with others.
From her humble beginnings traveling across Oklahoma in a covered wagon, she had witnessed and been part of major advances and changes in history during her eighty-six years. In her spare time she enjoyed doing ceramics and quilting, and also was a writer of poetry and gospel songs. She possessed a delightful sense of humor and liked to laugh. Her family was always foremost in her life and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Virginia was a loving, Christian mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a kind and caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them during her lifetime.
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