Christine Dean
d. June 7, 2016
Christine Dean
Christine Dean
Augusta, GA – Entered into rest Tuesday, June 7, 2016, Mrs.Christine Lavada Dean, age 85, loving wife of 55 years to George Dean.
Christine was born in Memphis, TN on June 9, 1930, to George P. and Carolyn Ritchey. She was raised in Mississippi, moving around as her father practiced law and served in the state legislature; eventually settling in Indianola, MS. Christine studied art and piano while growing up and graduated in Indianola in 1947. She then attended MSCW (Mississippi State College for Women) where she majored in piano and minored in art. She attended Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Following that, she taught school in Enterprise, AL for a year and in Deland, FL for another year. She then began working as an artist for Goldsmiths Department Store as a fashion artist, a job she dearly loved and was very successful.
She married George Dean (a career Navy man) in April 1961 and they moved to Meridian, MS where she taught first grade. A transfer to Guam found her teaching first grade for three years. Moving to Pennsylvania, where her husband was sent to recruit, she took further education classes at Slippery Rock College and substitute taught. Returning to Guam, she then taught first grade for four more years. Again moving to PA, in 1974 as her husband retired, she took more courses at Slippery Rock College and at Westminster College. After moving to Augusta, GA, Christine attended Augusta College, acquired certification in GA. and taught first grade at Gracewood Elementary for 11 years.
During this time she also painted, specializing in portraits, animals and landscapes. She, along with a friend, began a poetry writing group in her home, with assistance from an instructor from UGA. Most, if not all, the poetry members became members of the Augusta Authors Club. Christine was also active in Riverwalk Toastmasters and worked with the Ron Jones School of Ballet.
In 1994, Christine had to set aside personal interests to move to Charlotte to care for her son, Scott, who had been diagnosed with a rare cancer. This caregiver status took two years of her life but was a labor of love. Returning to Augusta, she again took up her art work, began taking harp lessons and enjoyed other pursuits until multiple strokes diminished her ability to do ‘regular’ things.
Survivors are her husband, George, sister: Carolyn King (Whit) of Birmingham and numerous nephews and nieces. The family wishes to express their thanks to the many aides who helped care for her and to Heartland Hospice.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 13, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet with Dr. G. Daniel McCall officiating. Burial will be in Westover Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your church, your favorite charity or to Histiocytoma research @ UC Health, 234 Goodman Street, Main Location 0700, Cincinnati, OH 45219-2316, (513)584-8540.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. at
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com
Augusta, GA – Entered into rest Tuesday, June 7, 2016, Mrs.Christine Lavada Dean, age 85, loving wife of 55 years to George Dean.
Christine was born in Memphis, TN on June 9, 1930, to George P. and Carolyn Ritchey. She was raised in Mississippi, moving around as her father practiced law and served in the state legislature; eventually settling in Indianola, MS. Christine studied art and piano while growing up and graduated in Indianola in 1947. She then attended MSCW (Mississippi State College for Women) where she majored in piano and minored in art. She attended Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Following that, she taught school in Enterprise, AL for a year and in Deland, FL for another year. She then began working as an artist for Goldsmiths Department Store as a fashion artist, a job she dearly loved and was very successful.
She married George Dean (a career Navy man) in April 1961 and they moved to Meridian, MS where she taught first grade. A transfer to Guam found her teaching first grade for three years. Moving to Pennsylvania, where her husband was sent to recruit, she took further education classes at Slippery Rock College and substitute taught. Returning to Guam, she then taught first grade for four more years. Again moving to PA, in 1974 as her husband retired, she took more courses at Slippery Rock College and at Westminster College. After moving to Augusta, GA, Christine attended Augusta College, acquired certification in GA. and taught first grade at Gracewood Elementary for 11 years.
During this time she also painted, specializing in portraits, animals and landscapes. She, along with a friend, began a poetry writing group in her home, with assistance from an instructor from UGA. Most, if not all, the poetry members became members of the Augusta Authors Club. Christine was also active in Riverwalk Toastmasters and worked with the Ron Jones School of Ballet.
In 1994, Christine had to set aside personal interests to move to Charlotte to care for her son, Scott, who had been diagnosed with a rare cancer. This caregiver status took two years of her life but was a labor of love. Returning to Augusta, she again took up her art work, began taking harp lessons and enjoyed other pursuits until multiple strokes diminished her ability to do ‘regular’ things.
Survivors are her husband, George, sister: Carolyn King (Whit) of Birmingham and numerous nephews and nieces. The family wishes to express their thanks to the many aides who helped care for her and to Heartland Hospice.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 13, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet with Dr. G. Daniel McCall officiating. Burial will be in Westover Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your church, your favorite charity or to Histiocytoma research @ UC Health, 234 Goodman Street, Main Location 0700, Cincinnati, OH 45219-2316, (513)584-8540.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. at
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Christine Dean, please visit our flower store.
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