Mattie Louvinia Dean

Mattie Lewis Dean, age 91, passed away in Mobile on December 1, 2022. Mattie was a dutiful sister, wife, mother, teacher, grandmother, and member of Providence Presbyterian Church where she often sang in the choir and performed other active duties in the church. She graduated from Central High School and was then accepted into Alabama State University where she got her BFA in Art & Music. Upon graduation from Alabama State, she was offered a teaching job at her alma mater, Central High School, where she would meet the love of her life, Private John S. Dean, Jr. who had returned to high school as an adult to finish his GED after enlisting early into the Army to fight in WWII. Mattie Lewis married John S. Dean, Jr. in 1957 and soon after they started a family. In 1961, while touring in Izmir, Turkey with John and her 4 children, Ms. Dean went back to college to get her Masters in Education from the University of Southern California (USC) extension program, and upon completion she returned to teaching in the school districts. Mattie loved teaching and her passion for teaching would stay with her through her entire working years until she retired. Her specialties were English and Music and she was passionate about ensuring that every child would have an opportunity to learn and grow. Over her many years as a teacher in the Mobile County School District, she taught thousands of students in our community at many schools across a number of grade levels. Students (current and previous) would often approach her and tell her how appreciative they were for having her as a teacher. Mattie’s love for music was so strong she often gave free piano lessons to students and would setup recitals in her house so they had an opportunity to perform. Mattie is survived by her sister, Sylvia Rudolph; daughters, Janet Dean-Harris-Campbell and Arlette Dean-Beauchamps; son, Norbert Dean (Kim); grandchildren, Janean Harris, Theresa Palauni, Danielle Dean, Catherine Campbell, and Nikolas Dean; 5 great-grandchildren; and a host of other devoted family members and friends. Mrs. Dean touched the lives of everyone who knew her. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 9, 2022 from 10-11 AM at Providence Presbyterian Church, followed by service at 11 AM. There will be a repast at Providence Presbyterian Church directly after the service. Mattie Dean will be buried alongside her husband, John S. Dean, Jr., at Serenity Memorial Gardens in Theodore, AL. Please join us in this final celebration of Mattie Dean’s life at the Serenity Garden’s Wall of Honor (8691 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, AL 36582). Mattie will be lowered into her final resting place after the family and guests have departed. The family of Mattie L. Dean would like to thank all who have shared with us at this time. A special thanks to the members of Providence Presbyterian Church, Pastor Mary Montei-Clark, Yvette Minor, Somerby Assisted Living, Providence Covenant Care, and Serenity Funeral Home.

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Mattie Louvinia Dean

December 8, 1930 - December 1, 2022