MR. RICHARD DAVID DEAN's obituary , Passed away on November 19, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee

MR. RICHARD DAVID DEAN

November 19, 2020

Memphis, Tennessee

MR. RICHARD DAVID DEAN's obituary , Passed away on November 19, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee
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RICHARD DAVID DEAN Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of RICHARD DAVID DEAN (Memphis, Tennessee), who passed away on November 19, 2020, leaving to mourn family and friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of RICHARD DAVID DEAN to pay them a last tribute. You may also light a candle in honor of RICHARD DAVID DEAN.

Obituary

RICHARD DAVID DEAN, SR was born in New Albany, Mississippi (raised in Memphis, TN) on March 19, 1942 to the union of the late Eugene Dean and the late Mary Virginia Dean.

At an early age Richard made what he considered to be the greatest decision of his life when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at Vance Avenue Church of Christ in Memphis, TN under the ministry of the late Nakomis Yeldell. Later in his Christian walk he served as Sunday School Superintendent and a Sunday school teacher at the East Capitol Street Church of Christ in Washington, DC. He later served at Norris Road Church of Christ in Memphis, TN under the ministry of James Crusoe. At the time of his passing he was an active member of East End Church of Christ in Memphis, TN. under the ministry of Dwight Brownlee.

He attended public schools in Arlington, TN. and graduated from Barret Chapel High School. He then attended Southwestern Christian College, in Terrell, TX graduating with an Associate in Arts degree. His ties to Southwestern Christian College were strong throughout his life. In addition to participating in fundraising activities, he made monthly contributions, he attended the college’s annual lectureships, and he recruited students for the school. He would actually drive the students from DC to Terrell, TX and get them enrolled and drive back to get them at the end of the school year and bring them back to their homes in Maryland and DC. He was faithful in his service to Southwestern Christian College.

Richard earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in political science from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX and was later honored there as being the first African-American student to graduate from this university. He earned a Masters Degree in Supervision and Administration at the University of the District of Columbia, in Washington, DC.

Because of his love for reading, studying, learning and teaching Richard acquired post graduate credits while studying at Howard University, George Washington University, University of Maryland, and Bowie State University.
During Richard’s freshman year at Southwestern Christian College he met Vallie Bechem (aka Johnson) and was married on December 29, 1964. From that union three amazing sons were born Richard David Dean, II, Clifton Sumner Dean, and Mensah Mobali Dean.
.He was a dedicated and devoted employee with the District of Columbia Public School System as a Political Science Teacher for over 32 years. During that time he provided services to students at Kelly Miller Jr. High School, Fletcher Johnson Middle School, and MM Washington High School teaching a variety of subjects from the Political Science curriculum including History, Civics, and Geography. In addition to teaching he served as a delegate to the annual Social Studies Conventions.

Richard loved sports and referred to baseball as his “First Love.” He volunteered to coach for the Kettering Boys and Girls Club Athletics and enrolled his sons in every sport the club offered. He was an award-winning coach, a recipient of trophies at the athletic banquets for his team’s outstanding performance.

Richard received numerous certificates and awards and loved the life he lived.

Richard was preceded in death by brothers Carl Dean, Therman Dean, Clifton Dean, and Summer Dean, a sister, Elise Dean and parents Eugene and Virginia Dean.

Richard is survived by: former wife, Vallie Bechem Dean Upper Marlboro, MD: sons, Richard David Dean, II, Clifton Sumner Dean both of Upper Marlboro, MD , and Mensah Mobali Dean of Philadelphia, PA: sisters, Helen Dean Bell (Lonnie) of Tampa, FL.; Juanita Dean White, Oakland, CA.; Katie Dean Davis, Sacramento, CA; and Carolyn Dean Gains, Stockton, CA.: Cousins, Charles Bowling, and Minnie (Lady) Bowling LITTLE of Memphis, TN: and a host of nieces, nephews
And two close friends of whom he was most fond, M H Stapleton and James I. Watts Sr. both of suburban Washington, DC.


Created by : Vallie Dean

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