Funeral Services for Marlene Brock Dean, age 92, of Cullman will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Cullman, Dr. Rick Lance officiating. She will lie-in-state from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at Cullman City Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, February 1, 2016 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home.
Mrs. Dean was born February 6, 1923 in Mt. Vernon, Alabama to parents Marion Oscar and Minnie Milner Brock. She passed away January 29, 2016.
Marlene grew up in Boaz and Albertville, AL. and attended Howard College in Birmingham as a nutrition major, where she met and fell in love with Austin Dean of Hanceville, AL. Her consideration that “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” rang true and they married during World War II, on November 11, 1943. Following the war, they lived in Boaz, AL, and Center, AL as owners of Dean-Stephen’s Clothing Store. After some time, they purchased Barnett Oil Company from Austin’s uncle, W. C. Barnett, and renamed it Dean Oil Company; serving gasoline to Cullman and surrounding counties for 43 years.
Marlene followed her talents in music, sports, and social groups through her later years and remained actively engaged in them up to and until her physical body would no longer allow. She was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. She was an avid golfer, winning Terri Pines Country Club Women’s championship in 1979 at age 56. Among other hobbies, she was a consummate chef, meticulous seamstress, and endearing pianist and singer.
Marlene was a member of First Baptist Church of Cullman for 57 years, and volunteered her time as a Sunday School worker for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Austin Dean; brothers, Leon Brock and G. T. Brock; and sisters, Opal Medlock, Nerine Elrod, and Anoise Cork.
Survivors include sons, Gary (Judy) Dean and John (Lisa) Dean; daughter, Jan (Robert) Smith; brother, Marion (Peggy) Brock, Boaz, AL; 13 grandchildren, Jeffrey Dean, Patrick (Jennifer) Dean, Cheri (Bobby) Bronson, Samuel (Victoria) Smith, Anna (Trevor) Floyd, Benjamin Smith, Derek (Koral) Dean, Abigail Smith, Mary Ellen Smith, Danielle Dean, Sarah Smith, Joy Smith, & Gloria Smith; and 8 great-grandchildren, Brandy Bronson, Jacob Dean, Chandler Nunn, Emma Kate Dean, Jackson Holland, Rae Hulsey, Caleb Floyd, & Maison Marie Dean.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or the Myelodysplastic Society.
Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
