Dean W. Dove

SERVICES: THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 201711:00 A.M. MCCLAIN-HAYS CHAPELVISITATION: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 20175:00-7:00 P.M. INTERMENT:WHEATFIELD CEMETERYUNION, MS OFFICIATING:DR. MIKE CARRDean Williamson Dove of Brandon, MS, left this life in the early morning hours on February 28, 2017, after a long and brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She lived a beautiful 84 years. The world was changed for the better when Dean was born in Philadelphia, MS on October 11, 1932 to Hughie and Brunice Williamson. Throughout her childhood and adult life, Dean took her role as the oldest daughter of eight children seriously and loved her siblings like her own children. She attended Bloomo High School, where her tall and graceful stature came in quite handy on the basketball court. Soon after she caught the eye of a strapping soldier, Top, the two married on April 4, 1950, and together raised three children in Jackson. Dean was a woman ahead of her time, independent and a force to be reckoned with. She never shied away from speaking her mind, whether asked to or not, but also lived a life full of love and at full speed. After her children were grown, Dean enrolled at Mississippi College and earned her bachelor’s degree. She worked hard her whole life, enjoying a successful and exciting career in banking and real estate. She lit up any room she entered with her confident, yet welcoming personality and her stunning smile. While making her way through the working world was something she did with such effortless ease, Dean’s heart was with her family, whom she loved fiercely and with no limits. She taught them to love big, mind their manners, walk tall, and to live a life pleasing to the Lord. Dean not only embodied a polished, classic Southern woman, but the grace and unconditional love of Jesus Christ – the one she rested in. Dean is survived by her husband Paul “Top” Dove; her children Deborah Carter (Bill) of Union, John Alan Dove (Rita) of Florence, and Carole Cantrell of Brandon; her grandchildren Jennifer Coney (Charles), Holly Graves (Mark), John Paul Dove, Amanda Wells (Nathan), Kristen Cantrell, and Rachel Cantrell; her 14 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; her sisters Ellen Williamson and Gloria Wilson; and brothers, Johnny and Sammy Williamson.  She is preceded in death by her brothers, Archie Williamson, Billy Williamson, and James Allen Williamson; and her parents, Hughie Everett and Brunice Mayo Williamson. Donations may be made in Dean’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association of Mississippi.