John Dean

Mr. John Dean, age 88, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and formerly of the StateLine Community north of Graceville, Florida went home to be with the Lord on Saturday January 3rd  in Ft. Lauderdale.

Funeral Services will be held Sunday January 11th at 11:00A.M. at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Slocomb, Alabama.

Interment will follow in the Saint Phillip Cemetery under the directions of Christian Memorial Chapel of Graceville, Florida.

The book of life of our beloved John Dean opened on June 30, 1926.  On that day, John was born in Madrid, Alabama to the late Jim and Mary Dean.

John was affectionately known to family and friends alike as “Pie”, and was educated in the Houston County Public School System in Alabama. John was introduced to Christ early in life and attended Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.  

John later met and married the late Eva Williams Dean, who preceded him in death on April 4, 2003. At the time of her passing, they had been together over 50 years. To their union were born five children: Johnny, Gary, Tinese, Alfornzo, and Levar Dean; however, Johnny and Gary preceded him in death.

In the 1960s, John eventually moved his family from Alabama to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in search of better job opportunities, landing the family on Sistrunk Street, and later Kennedy Estates. Throughout his life, John worked as a plumber, mechanic, and construction worker. John was well known for his style, wit, and jovial personality.  He was rarely seen without his signature hat or sunglasses.

On the morning of January 3, 2015, John was called home to the bosom of Christ, and the final chapter in the book of his life was complete.

John is preceded in death by his brother, Foy Dean; and sister, Rossie Dean.

John leaves to cherish his precious memory, twin brother, Judge Dean of Dothan, AL; sisters, Pearl Griffin of Orlando, FL and Johnnie L. Chatman of Slocomb, AL; sons, Alfornzo (Janette) of Orlando, FL, Levar (Tenia) of Fort Lauderdale, FL;  daughter: Tinese of Ft. Lauderdale, FL;  daughter-in-law, Gloria Jean Dean of Dothan, AL; four: surrogate children: Cameron Striggles, Jessica Coleman (Fealic), Krystal Taylor and Tiffany Dean all of Fort Lauderdale, FL; grandchildren: Lorenzo, Alonzo, Lacreasa, Deandrea, Lorence, Alexus and Alisia Dean, Deon and Dante Hill, Marlon and Michael Dean all of Orlando, FL, Sheneil Byrd of Hollywood, FL, Levar Jr., Jubari,  Undre, Tyko and Clifton Dean all of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Gary Dean, Jr. of Leesburg, FL and Eva Rose Dean who preceded John in death; forty-four great-grandchildren; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and extended family members.


I was standing by the banks of a river
Looking out over lifes troubled seas
When I saw an old ship that was sailing
Is that the old ship of Zion I see

It's hull was bent and battered
From the storms of life I could see
Waves were rough but that old ship kept sailing
Is that the old ship of Zion I see

At the stern of the ship was the captain
I could hear as he called out my name
Get on board It's the old ship of Zion
It will never pass this way again

As I step on board I'll be leaving
All my troubles and trials behind
I'll be safe with Jesus the captain
Sailing out on the old ship of Zion

 Service Information