Minnie Lou Rotch Dean, a lifelong resident of Rabun, Alabama, went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017.
She was born on Dec. 8, 1927 to Lily Lou Long Rotch and Alvin Roland Rotch in Clarke County, Alabama and moved with her family to the Rabun community in Baldwin County as a child.
She joins her husband, Earl O. Dean; her sister, Daisy Cannon; and her brother, Hillary Rotch; who had gone on before her.
Another brother, Roland Rotch, still lives in the Rabun community. Mrs. Dean leaves as part of her legacy three children, Lewana (Steve) Goodrich of Daphne, Deborah (Randy) Hyatt of Rabun and John Earl Dean of Rabun; six grandchildren, Stephen Goodrich, Dean Goodrich, Jason Hyatt, Ivy Hyatt Brown, Charlotte Hyatt and Hannah Dean; 12 great-grandchildren, Rachael Goodrich, Elizabeth Goodrich, Stella Goodrich, Emma Kate Hyatt Johnson, Mackenzie Hyatt, Jaron Hyatt, Connor Hill, Corbin Hill, Karsyn Hill, Cameron Hill, Shannon Joiner and Blaine Hyatt; and one great-great-granddaughter, Parker Hyatt.
Mrs. Dean has held positions of responsibility at the central office of the Baldwin County Board of Education, retiring after 36 years there. She had a strong commitment to education and supported her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their education.
She was a graduate of Baldwin County High School and continued her education later in life by graduating from the University of South Alabama with a BA degree.
She was a lifelong member of the New Providence Baptist Church in Rabun and supported her church with her attendance, her giving and most important, her prayers. She was faithful and diligent in her prayers for her family and her friends.
As Mrs. Dean's life continues for eternity in Heaven, her presence will be greatly missed by her family, her friends and her community, but her memory, her influence and her heritage will continue to live on through the generations that follow.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017 at 2 p.m. at the chapel of Norris Funeral Home, with Rev. Jeff Brown and Steve Goodrich officiating.
Burial will follow at Dean Cemetery.
Although the family will accept flowers, they suggest memorial contributions be made to the Bay Minette Public Library, 205 W. 2nd St., Bay Minette, AL 36507.
