Betty J. Dean's Obituary
Betty Jo Dean, 93, a longtime Miami area resident passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. She was born on August 3, 1924 in Miami to Charles Abney and Natalie (Bowen) Beck. She was Valedictorian of the Class of 1941, after high school she went on to the University of Oklahoma where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in History; she then went to Pitt State University for her Master’s Degree. She taught special education in Chetopa, Bluejacket, Quapaw and Miami. While in college at OU she was tapped for Mortar Board, she also was in charge of planning for all the USO programs on campus. She was a longtime member of the Presbyterian Church in Miami; she helped put together the history of the church. She enjoyed knitting, cooking and cross stitching. Her volunteer work included the Modoc Tribe Library, Ministerial Alliance, Coleman Theater and Dobson Museum and also helped with the churches Christmas baskets. Betty Jo was preceded in passing by her parents Charles and Natalie Beck, her siblings Richard Beck, Marion (Beck) Carden, George Beck and an infant son Harry T Dean Jr.
Survivors include Mary Diane Dean of Stillwater, Tom Dean and his wife Tammy of Miami and Cathy Dean of Miami. Her grandchildren Hillary Dawn Guthrie and Melissa Blair and great grandchildren Keidis Guthrie, Cassandra Goins, Brent Reeves and Bernadette Reeves along with several nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Mrs. Dean will be from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami.
Services for Betty Jo will be Monday at 1:30 PM at the First Presbyterian Church in Miami with Reverend Ray Vandegiesen officiating. Interment will precede the service at the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery under the direction of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Churches Archival Fund.
Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mrs. Dean’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.
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